October 2023

Bringing a global perspective to local properties.

Sarasota | A4579757 | $33,825,000 Barbara May & Fred Sassen | 404-822-9264

Siesta Key | A4564248 | $5,999,900 Denise Mei | 941-685-3198

Siesta Key | A4565405 | $4,999,000 Melissa Gissinger | 941-404-2722

Sarasota | A4577119 | $3,800,000 John August | 941-320-9795

Siesta Key | A4573754 | $2,249,500 Sherri Mills | 941-350-7112

DESIGN

LeADInG tHe scene inspirational business professionals GrowinG up our thriving local economy

By Jacqueline Miller

HonorInG serVIce empowering veterans through meaningful employment and housing

By Joshua Thomas Bray

rAIsInG tHe curtAIn

sarasota opera’s 2023/2024 season

By Scott Ferguson

Mr. ForD Goes to AuctIon andrew ford celebrates a milestone

By Gus Mollasis

elizabeth moore at triangle ranch. photo by lori sax.

Author and resident Nancy Schlossberg: “I Really

Like Everything About The Place!”

“I remember when we were looking at Sarasota Bay Club, I said to my son and daughter-in-law, I want you to visit retirement communities and tell me what you think, honestly, with no thought to what the finances are.

When I asked for their conclusions they said, it's a no brainer – Sarasota Bay Club. And I asked, why? They said, it’s the energy – you can just feel it.

And I think it was the smartest thing I ever did when I decided to move here.”

To experience the SBC energy for yourself, please schedule a private sales appointment and showing of available luxury residences.

Call Mimi Nowak or Dana Moe (941) 256-2618

1301 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Find us online at SarasotaBayClub.com

Priced from $500,000 to Over $2 Million

Photo Credit: Rod Millington

from the • pu BL is H er

here’s never been a more exciting time to live in Sarasota. We are thriving on so many fronts!

As a town known for years as a top attraction for retirees, now, thanks to the rich amenities we offer, the growth in our real estate market, and the good work of our economic development corporations, we are becoming known for the corporations and entrepreneurs we are also attracting.

Our vibrant arts and culture scene has always been an economic driver to our area, bringing in more than $500,000,000 in economic benefit to Sarasota and Manatee counties every year and contributes to local and state tax revenues. The healthcare sector continues to be the number one employer in Sarasota County, which keeps us strong in great healthcare.

But with recent accolades like Sarasota being named the “second most booming city in the country” by the Today Show , and U.S. News & World Report r anking Sarasota as the #8 “best place for young professionals,” we are also attracting businesses across other exciting growth sectors.

In this, our business issue, please read “Growing Up,” an article about our business and real estate growth. If you’re selling your home, it’s a great time, and while resales have slowed a bit because of high interest rates, our real estate association professionals expect prices to stay steady. Our building growth is not just in new homes and condos, and strong resales. We are also building some local mega construction projects such as the Mote Marine at UTC and the Selby Gardens project.

If you’re looking to start a business, with our population growth, your odds of success are great. If snagging a well-paying corporate job is what you’ve been waiting for, technology companies are coming to Sarasota County, while the aviation and aerospace sectors are strong growth sectors for Manatee County.

I also encourage you to read our special profile section—Leading the Scene. Many of the featured business leaders have made significant contributions to our community. Their stories are interesting and inspirational, and they continue to make a difference in our town.

Now for the articles you come to expect from Sarasota Scene

One of the most inspirational and interesting reads in this issue is our “Around Town” Q & A article. This month we proudly feature conservation champion Elizabeth Moore. Elizabeth’s contributions to our community are enormously important. Her involvement with many organizations and initiatives to improve our environment and education have made us better and stronger.

Sarasota Opera Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell, two of our community’s stalwart leaders, share

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

Many think that The Plumbing Place is number one because of the amazing products we sell, many think it’s because of the vast selection on display in our beautiful showroom, and many think it’s because of our passion to provide the best service to our clients.

insights into the Opera’s 2023-2024 season, which starts in November with The Music of Giacomo Puccini . The concert will include Sarasota Orchestra and vocal artists performing arias and ensemble from all 12 operas written by Puccini. This exciting concert opens the season, which will include favorites like Carmen and Lucia Di Lammermoor

As a measure of any great community, the aspiration to donate and give back is an indicator of commitment to the wellbeing of society. We are pleased to feature four very important organizations in town that should make your list of patronage: Gulf Coast Community Foundation, SPARCC, Forty Carrots and Cat Depot.

For Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we explore the collaborative relationship between Benjamin Hanan of Shumaker and the work of the Foundation. We also highlight Forty Carrots—its history, its mission, and its importance to families. For SPARCC, please be sure to learn how this vital organization empowers survivors through direct support, education, and awareness. Cat Depot, celebrating its 20th year, continues to provide the vital services of rescue, adoption and education.

Auctioneer and art dealer Andrew Ford has been part of our local business scene for many years. In his upcoming November 5 th auction, Andrew will celebrate a significant milestone—his 100 th time pounding the gavel to begin an auction of wonders from around the world. Be sure to read about Andrew and his dynamic auction in this issue.

Please also read Scene contributing writer and Veteran Joshua Thomas Bray’s article called “Honoring Service: Empowering Veterans through Meaningful Employment and Housing”. In this piece, he examines the importance of some remarkable institutions championing the cause of Veterans’ employment in Sarasota.

This season, make it your business to engage, entertain, and enjoy and if you’re contemplating a new business or career, there’s never been a better time to be part of the scene!

Simple. Delicious. Done.

Morton’s

Choose from champagne and caviar, prime steaks, seasonal fruits, decadent chocolates, gourmet goodies and much more. Morton’s gift cards are always in good taste too. Online ordering and delivery services available.

H

Publisher/Executive Editor

H John Knowles

Strategic Partnerships

Julie A. Milton

Executive Creative Director

Darcy Kelly–Laviolette

Digital Media & Editorial Content Coordinator

Gina Liga

Distribution

Mike Straffin

Accounting

Sally A. Bailey

Advertising Enquiries

Paul McNamara

Call/Text 917.751.6506 | paul@scenesarasota.com

Sharon Castellano

Call/Text 203.984.7577 | sharon@scenesarasota.com

Contributing Writers

Christy Pessemier

Scott Ferguson

Kaileia Suvannamaccha

Joshua Thomas Bray

Tom Reese

Carol Brzozowski

Julie Milton

Jacqueline Miller

Gus Mollasis

Contributing & Social Photographer

Nancy Guth

Contributing Photographers

Lori Sax

Cliff Roles

Curtis Anderson, Jr.

Brunch29thAnnualon the Bay

Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus

Brunch on the Bay is a celebration of community, philanthropy and the extraordinary achievements of USF Sarasota-Manatee students. Experience culinary delights from the area’s finest restaurants, enjoy the stunning ambiance of the campus grounds and connect with friends and university partners while supporting scholarships and campus initiatives.

Tickets and sponsorships:

sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/brunch

TITLE SPONSOR

“Knowing we can do something to help USF is such an honor. We’re grateful to join with the community to support scholarships and campus expansion. It’s the event of the year!”

- Lisa Krouse and Rod Hershberger, event chairs

AWARDING MORE THAN $9 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Design Standards

It doesn’t need to be NEW to be AWESOME!

Find your joy Sarasota’s #1 consignment shop

Design Elements

Stars

 The joy of shopping

 The joy of giving

 The joy of recycling



Town Square has a signature star design that appears three times in the logo. The signature star is also used a design element. Stars appear in groupings that are strategically arranged so that they line up creating a balanced design.

When placing a grouping of stars, each star should line with one or more of the stars in the grouping as shown on the right. It is best to use a few stars in the grouping that are the same size. Do not place text inside or over top of the stars.

THANKS TO YOU...

This purchase helped award $500,000 in grants and scholarships during our 2023-2024 Fiscal year.

Designed Headers

9

SARASOTA BALLET: MEET ME AT THE BARRE

The Friends of The Sarasota Ballet invite you to join them in welcoming back the Dancers, Directors, and Ballet Staff for the upcoming 2023 – 2024 Season.

Spark Memories in Town Square

Town Square University Parkway is an active adult day care center offering specialized care for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, sight impairments, and mobility issues. We are here to help your loved one age at home and provide respite for caregivers. Our unique program offers a 1950s and 60’s themed senior day care center built to facilitate reminiscence therapy. Our goal is to promote independence through activities, engagement, and socialization. Members have access to multiple activities, including 15 different storefronts to explore, within a safe & secure environment.

FSU Center for the Performing Arts | sarasotaballet.org

12

A variety of headline treatments are used in Town Square marketing templates. Each is designed in Adobe Illustrator using our brand fonts plus specialty fonts to reflect design styles used during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. These headers are not editable. A few examples are shown here. You can find them on FranConnect for your use.

GOODWILL MANASOTA AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON

During this celebratory luncheon, Goodwill Manasota will recognize advocates and leaders in the areas of veterans services, philanthropy, and community partnership as well as the inaugural Robert W. Rosinsky Achievement Award.

Michael’s On East | experiencegoodwill.org

13

CELTOBERFEST

8450 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34243 941-277-5048 | www.townsquare.net

Join the fun for beer, music, kilts, and Oktoberfest celebrations with a Celtic twist!

Motorworks Brewing | eventbrite.com

2023-24 SEASON

VICTOR DeRENZI, Artistic Director • RICHARD RUSSELL, General Director

2023 FALL SEASON

THE LITTLE SWEEP

by Benjamin Britten (Sarasota Youth Opera)

Nov. 4 & 5, 2023

THE MUSIC OF GIACOMO PUCCINI

Featuring singers, Victor DeRenzi and the Sarasota Orchestra.

Nov. 10 & 12, 2023

2024 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL CARMEN

by Georges Bizet

Feb. 17 - Mar. 22, 2024

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR

by Gaetano Donizetti

Feb. 24 - Mar. 23, 2024

LUISA MILLER

by Giuseppe Verdi

Mar. 9 - 24, 2024

DECEIT OUTWITTED (L’infedeltà delusa)

by Joseph Haydn

Mar. 15 - 23, 2024

All operas performed in the original language with translations above the stage.

DECEIT OUTWITTED (L’infedeltà delusa)

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

(941) 328-1300 • SARASOTAOPERA.ORG

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR

CARMEN

LUISA MILLER

THE LITTLE SWEEP (Sarasota Youth Opera)

THE MUSIC OF GIACOMO PUCCINI

We invite you to

CHASE AWAY EPILEPSY

our annual walk on Saturday, November 4th

Join us at 9:30 am at G.T. Bray Park

Amphitheater & Happy Tails Dog Park (2811 51st St. W., Bradenton)

as we help raise awareness and funds to fight epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world today, affecting one in every 26 people.

Walk proceeds benefit the children & families who receive help from:

13

SARASOTA ROCKTOBERFEST

Get ready to rock at Sarasota Rocktoberfest where you’ll experience an epic night filled with live music, delicious food, and drinks.

JD Hamel Park | eventbrite.com

14

7TH ANNUAL DREAM WALK

This event is a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser with a charity walk. The event will feature a choice of a short or long walking path, engaging activities at each stop along the way, and culminates with a pancake breakfast.

Venice Presbyterian Church | familypromissc.org

14

EQUITY FLORIDA SUNCOAST CELEBRATION ROYAL MASQUERADE BALL

Thank you Marquee Sponsor:

Register here for the CHASE AWAY EPILEPSY Walk

Celebrate resistance and fight for equality with Equity Florida. The celebration will feature hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, open bar, silent auction and more.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | eqfl.org

join us at

Take me home for 3, 6, or 12 months. Love me forever.

Did you know? Every guide dog starts as a puppy, and every puppy needs someone like you. Once our cuddly pups leave our Puppy Academy, they’re ready to explore the world. But not just any world—your world!

Bright-eyed pups leave the Puppy Academy.

✴ Take your furry bestie out on the town.

✴ Practice basic puppy manners, and witness lightbulb moments (Awww).

✴ Find endless joy on a timeline that works for you.

✴ Experience the magic of making a difference.

Choose your dream team

Co-raisers share the puppy love and the memories. Share the adventure with family, friends, colleagues, and more.

Take a paws

Have a getaway planned? Take the vacation or well-deserved break. Our puppy sitters jump in and take the leash.

Just add love (+ food and water)

We’ll take care of the rest. Puppy raisers receive a kit stocked with all the necessities to raise a happy, healthy pup. Plus, we cover all veterinary care and medical expenses.

They go home with volunteer puppy raisers. That’s you!

Curious dogs conquer Canine University.

Then, they change the world. Just like . . . magic!

From “sit” and “stay” to belly laughs and tears of joy, raising a puppy brings hope to those who need it most. Because one day, your snuggly pup will guide someone from darkness to light.

Be a part of the magic . Raise a puppy.

Become a puppy raiser with Southeastern Guide Dogs and open a world of magic to those with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children who need a best friend. GuideDogs.org/pup

13

SHARKTOBERFEST

Raise a glass with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium during Sharktoberfest, a craft beer festival in the Aquarium after hours sponsored by Gold Cost Eagle Distributing.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium | mote.org

13–31

LIGHTS AT SPOOKY POINT

Historic Spanish Point campus transformed into “Spooky Point” where you can follow an eerily lit path and encounter fantastic creations and bootanically-themed decorations along the way.

Historic Spanish Point | selby.org

14 FALL FÊTE HOLIDAY MARKET

Fall festival & holiday market with 100+ local merchants and artists. Food truck rally, live music, pumpkin patch, kids’ activities and santa.

Manatee County Fairgrounds | eventbrite.com

14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29

HUNSADER FARMS ANNUAL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Craft show, live music, live shows, hayrides, pony rides, corn maze, pumpkins and more.

Hunsader Farms | hunsaderfarms.com

22 VENICE HOME SHOW

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905

www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023

20 ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK AUTUMN HARVEST DINNER

Enjoy a fun evening with friends and family over an exquisite farm-totable dinner by Michael’s On East and help raise funds to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to neighbors struggling with hunger. All Faiths Food Bank | allfaithsfoodbank.org

20 RINGLING’S WHITE HOT FÊTE PARTY

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will kick off the 2023-24 cultural season with the White Hot Fête party and performances.

Ringling Museum Courtyard | ringling.org

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute’s top-ranked cancer experts provide the most advanced treatments in our local community.

From genetic screening to immunotherapies, our quality care brings effective, targeted treatment to you so you can stay close to home.

We take care of all the big things in cancer care so you can focus on all the little moments that matter—every step of the way.

FLCancer.com/LittleThings

Close to cancer care. Closer to your happy place.

20

RHEA LANA’S OF SARASOTA FALL & WINTER FESTIVAL

Rhea Lana’s of Sarasota is hosting a Family Shopping Event! Get the entire family set for all things Fall & Winter.

Robarts Arena | eventbrite.com

21

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MAKING STRIDES WALK

A fundraiser walk to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Nathan Benderson Park | secure. acsevents.org

• social scene •

• scene sponsored •

21

SMHF Rock the Roof

The coolest dance party guaranteed to get you on your feet for a good cause.

SMH Sarasota West Parking Garage | smhf.org

24

VISIBLE MEN ACADEMY LOVE LUNCH

Welcome old friends and new faces and come together to celebrate faculty, students, families and staff of VMA.

Michael’s On East | vmacademy.org

26

CANDLELIGHT: A HAUNTED EVENING OF HALLOWEEN CLASSICS

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Sarasota.

Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | fever.com

Feel something here

Take in the art. Shop for the unexpected. Savor the flavors of Florida. There’s nothing like it in Sarasota – or anywhere else.

1001 South Tamiami Trail SarasotaArtMuseum.org

Dine In DineTakeoutDelivery In TakeoutDelivery

27

ECO TALK & WALK: BATS! A FAMILY EVENT

Join Dr. Katherine Clements, ecology and natural resources educator with UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on one of our most misunderstood mammals: bats! Learn the natural history, and beneficial aspects of bats, and then take a sunset stroll to see the bats emerge from their houses.

Venice Audubon Rookery | scgov.net

28

SUNSHINE FROM DARKNESS STEP INTO THE LIGHT MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT

This free event is open to the public and designed to empower attendees to learn new coping skills, promote mental health wellness in their environment, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Robarts Arena | sunshinefromdarkness.org

28

GHOSTLY GALA FLOWER SHOW

A Halloween-themed flower show with workshops in design, horticulture and education.

Sarasota Garden Club | sarasotagardenclub.org

28

TRULY VALUED TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS

This event has developed an exceptional reputation, providing guests with hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, and an unforgettable bayfront setting. Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota | trulyvalued.org

28

SARASOTA DOG-A-WEEN COSTUME CONTEST

Bring your dog dressed in a Halloween costume to the Sarasota Farmer’s Market and try for a prize.

Downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market | allevents.in

Sarasota Yacht Club | October 27, 2023

Connect with WUSF Public Media and hear from awardwinning journalist, author, and host of All Things Considered, NPR's afternoon newsmagazine, Mary Louise Kelly.

Tickets & Information Available at wusfnews.org

30

FRIENDS OF THE SARASOTA BALLET SHOWCASE LUNCHEON

Join the Friends for a quintet of luncheons designed to enhance understanding of the Company’s inner workings through exclusive programming featuring special guests.

The Sarasota Ballet | sarasotaballet.org

31

FRIGHT NIGHT ON ST. ARMANDS

For the young and spooky at heart, Fright Night transforms

St. Armands Circle from island sophistication to Halloween fun. Decorated store fronts and frightening characters set the stage for the wandering spirits of St. Armands past.

St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassociation.org

VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM

to submit your event for consideration, please send information to editor@scenesarasota.com

Mike Morgan for NPR

with mary louise kelly

investment tips

Phillip Dickson, CEO & Founder of Monorail

Photo by Curtis Anderson, Jr.

with phillip Interest Rates For Savings and Loans

Whether you’re a budding investor or a seasoned pro, understanding how interest rates affect both savings and loans is prudent, as the two are inextricably linked. But how, exactly, does this relationship work in the real world?

What Are Interest Rates?

An interest rate refers to the cost of borrowing money. And like any good or service, this cost fluctuates based on the laws of supply and demand. As the money supply increases, it becomes easier to secure, so the interest rate drops. The opposite occurs if the money supply shrinks —it becomes scarce and, thus, more costly to obtain. Likewise, when demand for money rises, so does the interest rate, and vice versa.

Interest Rates for Savings

Banks and similar financial institutions offer interest payments to entice customers into providing them with cash for safekeeping, which, in turn, enables them to issue loans.

The quickest and most convenient way to start earning interest on your money is to open a bank account with a savings account. Another option is a certificate of deposit (CD), which is a safe and reliable investment product that pays a higher interest rate than a typical savings account. The one condition of a CD is that your money is locked away for a set period of time. A checking account may generate some interest income, but it’s trivial, as its purpose is to cover your daily spending needs.

Interest Rates for Loans

Just as you can earn interest income from deposing your money at a bank, you’ll be responsible for paying interest charges when you take out a loan. Banks assign your loan interest rate on two factors: the loan type and default risk associated with lending to you.

For example, rates on mortgage are considerably lower compared to an unsecured personal loan, as the former is supported by your home (which the lender can liquidate in case you fail to make your payments), and the latter is backed only by your general creditworthiness.

Lenders will evaluate your credit report and income when it comes to risk. If they deem you capable of servicing your debt payments, they’ll reward you with a low-interest rate.

How Are Interest Rates on Savings and Loans Linked?

The interest rates on savings and loans are heavily influenced by the Federal Reserve, whose primary duty is managing the monetary policy of the United States. It accomplishes this mainly by adjusting the federal funds rate, which is the rate commercial banks charge each other when lending and borrowing. In general, it raises rates to prevent the economy from overheating and cuts rates to stimulate economic activity.

Should the Fed raise the federal funds rate, it will cause a ripple effect that trickles down to your local bank. Borrowing costs for lending institutions will increase, and to offset this, they’ll charge higher rates on loans they originate. In turn, this enables them to hike the interest amount they pay on various investment products, such as savings accounts, CDs, and money market funds. As a result, you’ll realize a tidier return on the money you invest, accelerating the pace at which you reach your savings target.

Of course, the opposite is true if the Fed decides to slash rates. The cost of borrowing will fall across the economy, which means you can expect a meager return on your cash deposits.

Why It’s Wise to Pay Attention to Interest Rates

As you can see, high interest rates are disheartening if you’re seeking a loan but exceptionally advantageous if you’re eager to grow your savings. Of course, the opposite is true in a low-interest-rate environment - finding a place for your money to earn a decent rate of return is more challenging.

While you don’t need to keep a watchful eye on the financial markets daily, it’s helpful to be aware of which direction interest rates are trending. Once you have a grasp on how to start investing, you can use this knowledge to know when to level up your savings. Making wise investment decisions and adjusting your portfolio is crucial for maximizing your returns, no matter the state of the economy.

the F in D

By Gina Liga

1. CHANDELIER EARRINGS

The Gold and Diamond Source’s newest statement piece is a pair of exquisite 18 karat white gold chandelier earrings, which showcase a variety of brilliant diamond cuts. The stunning white diamonds are laid in a grand seven-strand drop, a look created to stand out.

Call for pricing | The Gold and Diamond Source |

Kate Spade’s “New York Tinsel Glitter” top-handle satchel in rose gold. Comes with strap and can be converted into a crossbody.

$88.99 | Sarasota Women’s Exchange |

3. MUSIC NOTES BOWTIE SET

A handsome and fun cotton bowtie with matching pocket square is made of 100% cotton. This print is perfect for the opera, orchestra, symphony or any event that involves music this season!

$40 | Dapper Bowtique | dapperbowtique.com

4. THE ROBERT TALBOTT COLLECTION

Experience a thoroughly modern men’s suit that’s super light and moves with you for comfort and ease. Crafted from lightweight Italian knit that breathes and has natural stretch. A perfect blend of comfort and elegance for a night on the town.

Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing

Pricing based on selections | greinersclothing.com

5. JOSEPH RIBKOFF FALL 2023

SIGNATURE COLLECTION

In this newest Signature lineup, rich jacquards, sequins, metallics, foiling, pleating, and lace punctuate tailored lines and beautifully fitting silhouettes. Each design is special: created and crafted to perfection making it a timeless investment piece to wear this season and beyond.

Call for pricing | foxyladysarasota.com

Nurturing HEALTHY Families

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha • Photo by Lori Sax

In 2011, Susan Travers and her husband made “The Sunshine State” their new home—a decision that marked the beginning of Susan’s involvement in Sarasota’s philanthropic community, where she continues to serve as a donor and devoted board member of Forty Carrots Family Center.

Prior to their big move, Susan had actively participated in fundraising for philanthropic causes based in Atlanta for more than two decades. Her group, an entirely volunteer-driven organization comprised of approximately 100 dedicated women, annually voted on which causes to champion, focusing their efforts within the North Atlanta area. She wore many hats within the organization. “I was vice president, in charge of PR, and eventually ended up being president,” she says.

Discovering Forty Carrots Family Center

Susan’s first encounter with Forty Carrots came via an invitation from a neighbor to the annual Wine, Women, and Shoes fundraiser event. Although initially unfamiliar with the organization’s mission, Susan and her husband, both wine enthusiasts and collectors, decided to attend.

“I told my husband, you know, we really need to look into what this philanthropy does, so that we can know what we’re supporting. It was a fundraiser, so we knew we were going to be asked to give some money to support the cause.”

Little did they know that evening would spark a profound connection to a cause that would become near and dear to their hearts.

At the time, Susan’s daughter was navigating single motherhood while pursuing her education at the University of Alabama. Knowing that her daughter would soon be moving back in with her and her husband, Susan, fully aware of the challenges faced by single parents, began researching Forty Carrots to gain a deeper understanding of their comprehensive approach, which included parenting education and support services.

“I didn’t start working with Forty Carrots right away. I met the CEO, Michelle Kapreilian, who’s amazing by the way. We had lunch, and talked about Forty Carrots. I wanted to find out in what ways they could help my daughter,” says Susan. “I also have a son, who just turned 33, and he struggles with mental illness. We didn’t know how to identify it early enough.”

Susan Travers & Forty Carrots Family Center

Through Forty Carrots, Susan’s daughter found invaluable support as a young, single mother. She attended parenting classes that equipped her with essential skills and connected her with a network of like-minded mothers. These connections endure to this day, highlighting the organization’s ability to empower and create lasting support systems for families.

Reflecting on her journey as a parent, Susan understood the importance of early intervention in mental health challenges and the critical role that parenting education plays. These were services she wished had been available when she was a young mother. Now, as a grandmother, she recognizes the immense impact these programs can have on families and is determined to ensure they reach as many people as possible.

“I believe in Forty Carrots does. It saves people’s families. Many young children will have a different trajectory due to the support services the organization provides. So, it’s a message of hope.”

Building A New Home

One of the most significant undertakings during Susan’s six-year tenure as a board member has been the creation of a transformational expansion of services including building a third location. Recognizing the pressing need in the community, in 2017, the board embarked on a

growth and sustainability study. This endeavor involved board members forming a dedicated taskforce to assess community needs, and where Forty Carrots fills the gaps in services for children and families. After deep deliberation, the decision was made that expanding services would require an additional facility to house the growing staff of therapists and parenting educators. However, the journey to realize this dream encountered a formidable obstacle—the onset of a global pandemic. Funding streams were abruptly cut off, and annual fundraisers that typically contributed over a million dollars to Forty Carrots’ finances vanished for two years.

“We had to be real quick about learning how to do Zoom meetings and virtual therapy appointments,” says Susan. “And we’ve got it down now.”

In response to the funding crisis caused by the pandemic, Susan and the board initiated a board match campaign. This unique approach involved members collectively contributing a set amount of money and then reaching out to the community, offering to match donations up to a specified amount. Remarkably, this experiment raised over $400,000 in a year-end campaign, ensuring the organization’s continued operation and progress.

As the new facility on Cattlemen Road nears completion, with $8.5M of the $10M required raised, Susan reflects on

the magnitude of the accomplishment. Within her three-year term as board chair, Forty Carrots will have transformed from desperately needing space to accommodate the increasing need for mental health and parenting education.

A Collaborative Effort

Forty Carrots’ approach revolves around outreach and collaboration. The organization partners with 30 other organizations throughout Sarasota, sharing its expertise in parenting education and mental health support. Through these collaborations, Forty Carrots extends its reach, offering support wherever it’s needed most, including schools, libraries, women’s recovery units, the child welfare system, and many more non-profits.

“The fact that we go to the other agencies to support what they do is unique. We work with all different age groups and populations, regardless of their ability to pay.”

As Forty Carrots looks toward the future, its vision includes continuous growth and impact. Susan believes that there are numerous ways to expand their reach, including potentially sharing their unique model with other communities.

For those in the community interested in supporting Forty Carrots, there are numerous ways to get involved. Attend their events, donate, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word

about their services to friends and neighbors. Forty Carrots welcomes all forms of support, recognizing that every effort plays a crucial role in helping families in need.

From a chance encounter at a wine dinner to becoming a dedicated board member of Forty Carrots, Susan’s story is one of personal commitment, adaptability in the face of challenges, and the power of collaboration. Through her efforts and the mission of Forty Carrots, countless families in Sarasota and beyond have found support, empowerment, and hope.

“I’m just completely proud to be associated with this organization and to even be considered a board member, and to be board chair has been very fulfilling.”

The Roots of Forty Carrots Family Center

Forty Carrots was founded in 1993 by Betsy Kane-Hartnett, early childhood educator and Diane Weiss, a parenting expert. The name, “Forty Carrots,” as quirky as it may sound, holds a special meaning. Diane and Betsy, both turning 40 at the time, likened their mission to that of a root vegetable—strong, deep-rooted, and dedicated to nurturing healthy families.

Now thirty years strong, its name has become deeply embedded in the organization’s identity, appearing on minivans that traverse the town, and at events that have become synonymous with the organization’s mission. It has taken root, just as Diane and Betsy had intended—a legacy, firmly planted in the hearts of the many it has helped throughout these years.

“It (Forty Carrots) saves people’s families. Many young children will have a different trajectory due to the support services the organization provides.

So, it’s a message of hope.”

Jennifer Hackbarth and Ricardo Rhodes in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Varii Capricci |

Photography by Frank Atura

The Power of Collaboration

BENJAMIN R. HANAN AND GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

By Joshua Thomas Bray •

Sarasota is a hub of philanthropic activity, where altruism and progress intersect to create a vibrant community. At the forefront of our local humanitarianism is Gulf Coast Community Foundation—an organization that spearheads philanthropic initiatives and drives the region toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

Founded in 1995, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has stood as a pillar of progress, bridging the gap between visionaries and transformative initiatives. With a mission that resonates with the aspirations of the community, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has embarked on a journey to transform Sarasota into a center of innovation, education, and cultural enrichment. From education to healthcare, from the arts to the environment, the Foundation’s footprint is as diverse as it is profound.

Central to the Foundation’s philosophy is its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and creative problem-solving. It is not merely a charitable institution but a dynamic force that collaborates with nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to drive meaningful change. With a focus on

by Lori Sax

collaborative giving, the Foundation thrives on the belief that collective efforts yield the most impactful outcomes. Throughout its existence, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has made a positive impact on our region through many proactive initiatives and by providing more than $500 million in grants, which includes over $10 million in scholarships to aid students in pursuing higher education. The important initiatives it undertakes are fueled by many of the Foundation’s community partners and donors—partners and donors whose synergistic beliefs and goals enhance our community and touch the lives of many. One of Gulf Coast’s most ardent supporters is Ben Hanan—a man who also believes in the power of collaboration.

As a senior partner at Shumaker, Hanan has not only excelled in the professional sphere but has also extended his expertise to serve the community. Born and raised in Sarasota, his parents, Lewis and Sandra Hanan, instilled in him the importance of community and giving back. After finishing school and spending a short time living outside of Sarasota, Hanan and his wife, Stacy, moved back in 1997. Upon his return, Hanan sought out ways to

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become involved in various community organizations. It wasn’t long before he discovered the Foundation and the doorway to a new philanthropic collaboration.

“Prior to joining the Gulf Coast board, I had limited familiarity with community foundations and the tremendous impact that they have. Although, as a partner with Shumaker, I had a few clients that were donors at the time, I had limited involvement with Gulf Coast. I was invited to join the board and jumped at the opportunity. I quickly learned that the Foundation is not merely an ‘ATM’ that takes money in and doles money out. The professionals at Gulf Coast Community Foundation seek to understand the challenges of our community, analyze the individual situations, and then make critical, data-driven recommendations as to how Gulf Coast can truly make an impact and ‘move the needle’ rather than just throwing money at a problem.”

In addition to serving on the Gulf Coast board from 2008 to 2017 and serving as its board chair in 2014 and 2015, Hanan has been elected to other local boards including All Faiths Food Bank, the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. He currently serves as chair of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.

“During my time serving on the Gulf Coast Community Foundation board, I witnessed firsthand how effective ‘catalytic’ philanthropy can be. Some community foundations focus mostly on responding to funding requests from nonprofit organizations or on simply facilitating grants for the donors who establish funds at the foundation. But at Gulf Coast, they started looking at the root causes of the issues that nonprofits were addressing, the impact that donors said they wanted to have, and then asked, what if we brought them together?”

And Hanan helped the Foundation do just that. Perhaps the most meaningful collaboration for Hanan centered around his involvement with the Feeding Hungry Families. Based on research into child hunger commissioned by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Hanan helped All Faiths Food Bank completely transform the way it worked. All Faiths began targeting the underlying causes of hunger and focusing on the quality and not just quantity of the food it distributed. Now Feeding Hungry Families is the backbone of a true hunger-relief system in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, and All Faiths has been recognized nationally for its transformative solutions.

The STEMsmart initiative stands out as another remarkable example of a collaborative endeavor. Through the joint efforts of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, benevolent contributors, and the Sarasota County school district, there was a revolutionary shift in how middle-school students are taught science and math. This transformation wasn’t just about integrating cutting-edge technology but also about equipping educators with the necessary methods and resources to captivate their students. Due to its profound success, the Foundation and its supporters extended this approach to language arts classrooms.

Similarly, the initiative CareerEdge has made a significant and enduring mark. By reimagining the workforce training paradigm in the Sarasota-Manatee area, CareerEdge emphasized industries on the cusp of expansion and assisted employers in training their workforce for success. As these trained employees ascended in their careers, it paved the way for a fresh batch of entry-level professionals. Today, the initiative remains a robust entity under the umbrella of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

“At Gulf Coast, they started looking at the root causes of the issues that nonprofits were addressing, the impact that donors said they wanted to have, and then asked, what if we brought them together?”

His collaborative contributions helped steer the Foundation’s efforts toward education and empowerment. Together, they created multidimensional endeavors that embrace various facets of education and infuse fresh life by inspiring creativity and a love for learning. This approach empowers and nurtures intellectual curiosity and are sowing the seeds of a brighter future for generations to come.

As Hanan’s journey unfolds, his work with Gulf Coast Community Foundation stands as a significant milestone of accomplishment. His dedication to fostering positive change channeled through the Foundation’s visionary initiatives, is characterized by a deep understand of community needs and a relentless pursuit of solutions that can transform lives and reshape communities. The transformative initiatives of the Foundation have not only altered the community landscape but have also ignited a spark of hope, inspiring others, like Hanan, to join the movement of positive change.

Hanan’s passion and the Foundation’s vision remind us that we have the power to shape a better future. By daring to dream, collaborate, and take meaningful action, we can create a better world. We continue to get better and better as a community due to the dedication of people like Hanan and the transformative force of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. It stands as a testament to the beauty of a community united in purpose.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Gulf Coast Community Foundation please visit gulfcoastcf.org.

elizaBeth

mOOre

She’s earthy, exciting, and energetic. Quite possibly your life may just be a bit better because of her. She is Elizabeth Moore—a woman of strong purpose and character, whose convictions and dedication to causes dear to her heart impact our community, and ultimately our daily lives. We asked this dynamic supporter of science, conservation, natural history, and education more about herself and what moves her as we caught up with her “Around Town.”

The philanthropic impact you have made on our community is undeniable. Is there a specific moment in your life that fueled you to do more, give back, and make a difference? I think the community realized I was making an impact before I did—I was just following my heart when amazing opportunities came my way to improve our world. I must say it does feel good to be recognized as a leader in areas of land conservation, education, and natural resource resiliency. Our natural world has changed a lot over my lifetime and a “man-made” environment that suits humans seems to have eclipsed nature. Yet humans still desire the peace and serenity of forests, meadows, and waterways. When my family invested in a major science center at our children’s elementary school, I realized that by touching young hearts early with the beauty and importance of our natural world, that sensitivity would likely guide them through life. That is what happened to me as a child when I would play in forests and streams and encounter animals. I expanded my passion when we moved to Florida by building a Marine Science Center at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School so every student from kindergarten to 12th grade can learn about marine life and ocean ecology. The curriculum is called One Ocean. I was then inspired to name the Mote EMIC2R3 in the Keys for young scientists to do research on coral health.

(Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration)

Your life experiences have enabled you to better realize how things work, what is important, and how to get things done. What advice do you have for others who want to be more involved and how they can get behind a cause and use their specific knowledge skills? I often work with other individuals and groups to accomplish a great goal, e.g., a gala, a building, a campaign, a land project, a conference, or other event. Collaboration and being present to the big picture are

superpowers. I ask a lot of questions and I listen to what people have to say. Before I commit my funds and time to an endeavor, I want to know that others have weighed in and value it as well. The output will be most impactful and successful when others are heard; that being said, I still lead with my heart, my intuition, and always with conviction. I also appreciate it when people, especially leaders, listen to and involve others. And my advice to others who seek to get involved—look for these qualities in leadership and be passionate about your cause.

Your name is on buildings, on scholarships, on arts and cultural events and productions, and even on an ATP challenger tennis tournament in Sarasota.

Let’s start with education and your support of USFSM, New College, Saint Stephen’s, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. You see educational support as critical to our growth and future. Tell us more about your support of children and young adults. I want my name publicly associated with meaningful buildings, scholarships, art and cultural events, even a lemur forest and tennis tournament because I seek to be a role model for other potential philanthropists and so people can know what I stand for and why. Each event, building, initiative has a deeper story to tell and not surprisingly, many have underlying common themes of education and preservation of our natural world. Many of the events that I chair and projects I undertake have to do with boosting the next generation of decision makers and ensuring they have the tools to intelligently steward our communities. It has been very satisfying to support students at New College, USF, and Saint Stephen’s in their wide range of aspirations in science, athletics, and civics. They are vital to our future and hopefully be well equipped to address problems that come their way.

You are known for your support of conservation initiatives and are a staunch supporter of Mote Marine. Your name graces Mote’s International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Florida Keys. You also created an 1,100-acre conservation easement on the property you saved—Triangle Ranch—near Myakka River State Park. How do these environmental efforts help us locally and globally? Two major projects I undertook in our region were dramatically brought into focus over the last year. My 1,143-acre Triangle Ranch in Myakka which I placed in a conservation easement bore a huge responsibility for receiving water from all over the region in the wake of Hurricane Ian last year. Nearly the entire ranch was flooded, and we had to move herds of livestock, repair cottages, and lost hundreds of trees. My ranch looked like an ocean! Yet, this was a cautionary tale that we must ensure that enough land is left undeveloped to absorb rainfall. At a conference hosted by Climate Adaptation Center last year, I presented with striking visuals the need to conserve open space, especially wetlands rather than develop everything with impervious surface.

With the rapid heating of our oceans over the last several months, at the Mote EMIC2R3, the coral scientists have successfully selected coral strains in the lab that can survive hotter ocean temperatures and certain diseases. Mote takes the leadership in worldwide coral research and restoration. Not being a degreed scientist, it still gives me great satisfaction to know I can help build a foundation for addressing this crucial global problem. We are immensely proud that Mote’s SEA (Science Education Aquarium) will bring huge numbers of visitors to learn about the vast and vital science of marine ecology.

You love to empower others to meet their goals. Because of this, you serve as a director or trustee on many local boards including Mote, Conservation Foundation, Tree Foundation, and the Lemur Foundation. How have you, working along with your fellow directors and trustees, helped make these organizations stronger? Yes, pushing people upward in their capabilities is very satisfying; no one

person can solve these oncoming challenges. People working together with different skill sets and resources allow for the best outcome on projects. It is about collaboration, always respecting the input of others. That is why I so appreciate the camaraderie and effectiveness of the boards on which I sit such as Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Mote Marine Research and Aquarium, Lemur Conservation Foundation, Tree Foundation, Climate Adaptation Center, and Gulf Shellfish Institute. At every board meeting I participate in I feel that I sit with “my people.” We get stuff done because we are aligned and passionate.

You are a star gazer and have a fascination with the night sky. Please tell us more about this. Understanding our place in the cosmos is very important. In fact, even as a social science/humanities major in college, I would say that astronomy was the most transformational course I ever took. To realize that we humans and all other life as we know it ride around on a precious dynamic planet with an atmosphere which protects and sustains us is just astounding. We go about our daily business and often forget about our impact on our natural world. Although we are beset with issues like light pollution and loss of biodiversity, our ingenuity to solve problems and make changes gives me hope. We can never give up hope to keep our one Earth a thriving home. Everyone should go outside and look at the stars and planets to remind ourselves how lucky we are. Our group, Suncoast Stargazers (suncoaststargazers. com), seeks to bring people together to learn about our cosmos. It has drawn people of all ages to look through telescopes, see distant worlds and wonder…

Which events can we expect to see Elizabeth Moore supporting during the 2023/2024 season? This fall will be a robust one for me, as it was last year come to think of it! Sarasota is a socially lively and culturally rich city. I love my home city! Sarasota Art Museum has asked me back, not as Gala chair this time, but as an Art Bash committee member. This is a super lively event which will be held December 8. Our Conservation Foundation has changed the format of the elegant Palm Ball to now be the festive

“people worKIng together wIth dIfferent sKIll sets and resources allow for the Best outcome on proJects. ”

Party in Paradise on February 4. After 14 years in the community, I finally joined the Ringling Museum and on November 17, I am sponsoring an exhibit and reception for Michele Oka Doner, the artist who made the iconic sea life floor at Miami Airport. I am once again the lead sponsor of the Science & Environment Council’s Eco-Summit (December 5 – 6) and Green Living Expo (December 2 – 3). Our keynote speakers are author Carl Hiaasen and world-renowned Australian documentary filmmaker Damon Gameau. I am very excited and honored to co-chair the New College Clambake fundraiser this year. Under new leadership with a vision to build enrollment and new programs in marine mammal, educational leadership and environmental economics, New College is rebounding with a new energy that I want to be a part of. New College has also asked me to join its Foundation. Mote’s Oceanic Evening (October 28) is a must attend for me every year and no one designs and orchestrates a wondrous event like that one better than Laurie Graham, my fellow trustee. And finally, this year I am on the Advisory Board for WUSF and will sponsor its Listen Up Luncheon at Sarasota Yacht Club (October 27). The speaker is Mary Louise Kelly from NPR.

Your hobbies include tennis, reading, scuba diving, and gardening. Tell us about your love of tennis, what you like to read, your favorite flowers to grow, and where you love to scuba dive. I am stuck on non-fiction books on the dangers of extinction, climate change, and dark sky awareness. Currently, I am reading The Darkness Manifesto: On Light Pollution, Night Ecology and the Ancient Rhythms that Sustain Life by Johan Eklöf. I am also reading Love Stories by Trent Dalton. I still have hope! One of the prettiest places I have dived is Garden of the Queen off the southern coast of Cuba—pristine coral reefs. I also had a great time diving on a Mote Marine board retreat with Dr. Crosby and other Mote board members and scientists. We dove off Summerland Key with Mote coral scientists and my daughter Merry, a budding marine scientist, during coral spawning. I hope one day to dive with Mote scientists in the Red Sea. As for tennis, I have given up league tennis for now since I am so involved with non-profit activities and my ranch. I still play at Field Club and Payne Park and on some private courts in Sarasota. I look forward to sponsoring next year’s ATP tournament, the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open at Payne Park. As for gardening, I have a new property on Bliss Road. But before I can do any extensive gardening there, I am working with soil scientists, educators, community food waste people and New College students to build rich biodynamic soil. My vision is to take sandy, poor soil and transform it into rich, arable soil to grow food in an urban environment. It’s a big science project and all parties involved are very engaged and excited about this!

What are some of your favorite spots around our town? I love The Bay, Selby Gardens, Sarasota Art Museum, Payne Park, the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, and Sarasota Opera! Every season is filled with excitement and intrigue! I also like to go to Waterworks, a business and social member club.

MICHELE OKA DONER

Join us for a lecture, special reception, and preview with artist Michele Oka Doner for her solo exhibition, Michele Oka Doner: The True Story of Eve

NOV 17, 4:00 PM

$10/$5 members

Graciously underwritten by Ringling Circle member Elizabeth Moore.

Michele Oka Doner: The

Keith D. Monda

SCENE Leading the

Sarasota Scene is pleased to present “Leading the Scene”, profiles of local professionals and entrepreneurs of various backgrounds and skills. Each of them are committed to providing excellence in their chosen field.

Profiles written by: Kaileia Suvannamaccha Tom Reese Jacqueline Miller

Photo by Nancy Guth

Dr. KAREN HOLBROOK

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SARASOTA-MANATEE

(941) 359-4200 • www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu

Dr. Karen Holbrook has been the Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (sarasotamanatee.usf.edu) for the last six years, but she has always been a scientist at heart.

Holbrook boasts an impressive resumé, having held a multitude of prestigious positions overseeing universities across the United States as well as internationally. Her exceptional leadership skills at USF Sarasota-Manatee have helped shape the university’s programs, advance research, and facilitate campus expansion. “I feel very lucky, because I’ve liked everywhere I’ve been,” she says. “It’s not that I move around because I don’t like where I am. I move around because there are new opportunities.”

These days, Dr. Holbrook takes immense pride in her collaborative initiatives at USF Sarasota-Manatee, with two remarkable developments taking center stage. First and foremost, the eagerly anticipated Student Center and Residence Hall will be fully constructed by May and is set to welcome students for the fall 2024 academic year. The bustling six-story complex is designed to accommodate up to 200 students, offering space for student government activities and an array of amenities, including a ballroom, bookstore, dining facilities, study lounges, and more. According to Dr. Holbrook, “It’ll be a real campus now, with students living there 24/7.”

Concurrently, momentum is building for the Nursing/STEM building, a cutting-edge academic and research facility poised to support a diverse spectrum of disciplines. This expansion will provide essential classrooms, labs, and spaces to support current academic programs as well as create room for new ones. Although still in its planning stages, this visionary undertaking highlights USF’s ongoing propensity towards innovation, aligning perfectly with the region’s escalating demand for healthcare professionals and STEM expertise, while also enriching the local arts community. “In so many of the science and technology programs, the arts really are critical,” adds Dr. Holbrook.

Despite her initial retirement plans in 2017, Dr. Holbrook actively participates in numerous community organizations, serving on both Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) boards of Sarasota and Manatee counties. She will assume the role of chairman for the Bradenton area EDC in the coming year. “I spend a lot of time with

community organizations. And we spend a lot of time thinking about our academic programs. Our goal is to prepare students who will stay here and work here. So, we are adding new programs that we think are relevant and needed in the area.”

The university has introduced an accelerated second degree nursing pathway. This unique program caters to students with undergraduate degrees by enabling them to become highly trained BSN nurses in only 16 months, as opposed to four years.

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s transformation under Dr. Holbrook’s guidance extends to programs beyond nursing. The institution recognizes the evolving job market, leading to the expansion of the Risk Management and Insurance program that integrates cutting-edge technology and data analytics. With the insurance industry experiencing a wave of retirements, this program fills a crucial gap in the local job market.

Another exciting addition to the university’s portfolio is aerospace engineering. Driven by the vision of the Bradenton Area EDC, USF Sarasota-Manatee is preparing to contribute to what the EDC termed as an “aviation ecosystem.” The region is attracting new companies related to aviation, making it a hotbed for aerospace engineering. There are also plans for an A and P (Airframe and Powerplant) school developed by Manatee Technical College, Suncoast Technical College and the Manatee School District. USF Sarasota-Manatee will add college level business modules to the program, and a K through 12 charter school focused on aviation for underprivileged students (in the planning stages). These programs, situated on airport property, will make SRQ the only airport in the country with its own educational campus. USF SarasotaManatee’s dual enrollment program further enhances the K-12 initiative, allowing high school students to take university courses and enter higher education at a more advanced level.

This year, USF achieved a significant milestone with its invitation to join the esteemed Association of American Universities (AAU), a recognition reserved for the nation’s top research institutions. “To have a world-class AAU research university in our community is just phenomenal,” says Dr. Holbrook.

Malaka HILTON ADMIRAL TRAVEL

941.951.1801 • www.admiraltravel.com

Malaka Hilton isn’t your typical travel consultant, and Admiral Travel International (ATI) is far from your average travel agency.

“We create these one-of-a-kind experiences that nobody else is creating,” says the Travel + Leisure A-List named Top Travel Advisor for more than 20 years. Malaka’s expert insights have also named her a Top Travel Specialist in Condé Nast Traveler three years in a row.

As valued members of the exclusive Virtuoso network—a global community of agencies that specialize in luxury and experiential travel—ATI advisors are committed to providing around-the-clock service for their clients.

A childhood filled with globe-trotting adventures alongside her Slovenian mother and Egyptian father fueled the spark that became Malaka’s life-long passion for travel. As she puts it, “Travel is the best investment you could ever make.”

Hilton founded her award-winning travel agency in March of 1997. “We’re a small company. There’s just seven of us. But we think outside the box and offer experiences that the customer may not necessarily know is available to them. That’s what differentiates us. We really care and want to create lifelong memories.”

Admiral Travel is renowned for their hands-on approach. They host journeys, taking travelers along with them. “We also work together, which is very rare,” she adds. “We share our clientele.” This way, customers benefit from the firsthand knowledge of the most qualified expert within the team, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable experience.

Malaka met her husband, Ryan Hilton at South Africa’s famed Londolozi Safari camp in May of 1997, where he worked as a Safari Guide. They wed in February of 1998. “Sarasota probably sends more people to that game reserve than any other city in the world because of that influence.”

Together, the Hiltons have nurtured Admiral Travel for 26 years, passing on their love for the industry to their children, who followed in Malaka’s footsteps, studying hospitality at Florida State University.

Malaka’s advice to the modern traveler is this: “Be kind to people in hospitality. We’re still in recovery. If ever there was a time the industry needed people to not cancel their trips, it’s now. Be patient, keep traveling, and take a lot of pictures.”

It’s no secret Sarasota is home to some of the most incredible luxury homes and real estate in the world. Massive companies like Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s, and Michael Saunders typically dominate the luxury real estate market. However, Vlado Konatar and Kona Realty are giving them a run for their money.

Based purely off word of mouth and client referrals, Kona Realty’s real estate inventory exceeds 167 million dollars. This achievement is due to Vlado’s leadership, who at the young age of 31 has a network of clients and investors from all over the world. His journey began as a teenager when his family immigrated to New Jersey from Montenegro. He learned real estate development and construction from his father, and eventually built and sold his own home when he was 20 years old. Six years ago, Kona Realty was born. Vlado’s unique skills as a salesman with hands-on construction experience combined with exotic flair has made him a beloved figure in the industry.

Vlado and Kona Realty have developed and sold some of the greater Sarasota area’s most luxurious and modern properties. The company is currently evolving by building and selling

40-50 new construction homes, as well as high-end real estate development projects. One of their most recent projects is coined “The Evolution,” a new luxury condominium building in Downtown Sarasota that has already sold out, despite still being in construction. There are also plans to be a part of a similar development on Longboat Key in coming months.

Kona Realty’s success is largely attributed to Vlado’s ability to understand the client’s needs and finding a way to meet their lifestyle and future goals, regardless of the current available inventory. His instincts and experience in the industry sets him apart from others, and his numerous client referrals prove it.

As Sarasota County continues to become an international real estate hotspot, Kona Realty has already established themselves as the best in the business. They are currently leading the new generation of high-performing real estate brokers in the area who will be the key to transforming Sarasota into a thriving, contemporary city attracting even more impactful investors and projects in the near future. Vlado is living the American dream, and leading the real estate industry in the process.

John & Jesse MURSE

RUGS AS ART

941.921.1900 • www.rugsasart.com

The hard-working, professional father-son duo of John and Jesse Murse own and operate one of Sarasota’s most treasured stores – Rugs As Art. This rug superstore has led the scene for more than 37 years, and while it has the grandeur, offerings, and service to thrive in any large city throughout this country, it maintains an incredible small-town feel where you will be treated like one of the family.

“We truly pride ourselves on having the best customer service possible,” says family patriarch John Murse. “From start to finish, our team works tirelessly to make sure every customer has an amazing, friendly, and educated experience. I am always eager to walk the sales floor and engage with our wonderful customers!”

The store offers a wide choice of rugs from all around the world, from hand-knotted, hand tufted, machine-made and outdoor rugs to custom rugs from their design department. They’ve

done everything from family crests to a rug from photos of the staff’s pets for a veterinary office. They also clean, repair, and appraise rugs. Unique furnishings, art, lighting, pillows, and other accessories complete this 20,000 sq. ft. Superstore. “Whether your tastes are tropical, contemporary or traditional, we have something for you,” says John’s son, Jesse Murse. “You will not find a better selection anywhere and our pricing simply cannot be beat. We have a saying here: If we don’t have it, can’t get it, or can’t make it… you don’t need it!”

John and Jesse Murse are consistently recognized as leaders in the industry. Rugs As Art has received a multitude of awards, from Small Business of the Year to Best Rug Store in America. For decades, the Murse Family has been active in supporting local charity organizations and nonprofits, all of which make the community a better place to live. “We love Sarasota and are happy to call this home,” says John Murse.

Plumbing. It doesn’t sound very glamorous, does it? Well, not if you’re standing in The Plumbing Place on Fruitville Road where glamour abounds. This decorative plumbing store isn’t about pipes, fittings, and the like, it is a wondrous and large showroom of the latest kitchen and bath sinks, faucets, tubs, showers, vanities, bath accessories, unique hardware and much more.

After a 25-year career in banking, owner John Smithman wanted something new. In 2001, he took the plunge and bought an existing decorative plumbing store. Now, nearly 23 years later, The Plumbing Place and Smithman have led the local scene in this competitive industry. His clients include many satisfied builders, architects, designers, plumbers, and of course homeowners.

Smithman is rightfully proud of the store’s success and longevity, but what he is most proud of is the top-notch customer service for which The Plumbing Place is widely known. He knew from the start that if you “take care of your customer, you will create

a customer for life.” That is just what he has done, whether it’s for luxury products or for the budget-minded.

When it’s time for something new, there are so many options at The Plumbing Place. The product line goes well beyond the typical names you find at big-box stores. “We focus on three things with our products: design, function, and durability, and help our clients understand the products we recommend so they can make informed choices,” explains Smithman. Luxury brands include Blanco, Franke, Rohl, BainUltra, Oceania and many more.

Smithman loves what he does and can’t imagine doing anything else. “The Plumbing Place is here to make people’s lives better,” he explains. With this winning formula, you can expect John Smithman to be leading this scene for many more years to come.

mortons market

the family MORTON

There are some good national supermarket chains in our town, but undoubtedly the leading independent grocery stores in Sarasota bear the name Morton.

The Morton family has a long and rich history in our town. It started in 1969 when after 17 years of service to the Marabel family, Ted Morton purchased Marable’s Market, which was in the same location on Osprey Avenue where Morton’s Gourmet Market stands today.

He changed the name to Morton’s Market in 1978 and it quickly became a family labor of love. Ted was joined by his son Eddie in running the store, while bis wife and two other sons worked alongside them. From the start, the Mortons treated employees like family, which explains why so many work there for decades. “Ultimately, it’s what sets us apart.

People want to spend time here,” said Eddie Morton. Four generations of Mortons continue to build on the store’s stellar reputation for high-quality products, a bustling and friendly atmosphere, top-level service, and hands-on ownership. Today,

Eddie Morton is semi-retired, and his son Todd is running things.  Now, it’s Todd’s wife and children who all “work in one way, shape or form here”—and are a big part of the culture. In addition to its flagship store on Osprey Avenue, Morton’s also owns and operates Morton’s Siesta Market and Siesta Key Liquors on Canal Road.

“We’re very chef driven,” explains Todd Morton, the current owner. “We create a lot of prepared, prepacked meals, salads, and entrees that people love. They can’t get enough of our chicken salad—we have three or four varieties, which means we poach hundreds of pounds of chicken each week.” Morton’s Gourmet Market also features a full-service bakery with professionally trained pastry chefs who make everything from artisan bread to seasonal fruit tarts to chocolate truffles to wedding cakes.

If you’re new to Sarasota, you must experience this wonderful market. From the fresh produce, prime cut meats, fresh fish, aromatic bakery, beautiful florals, extensive wine offerings, and full-service catering options, Morton’s Market is the leader!

Victoria STULTZ

Engel &Völkers: ATrue Global Connection

Victoria Stultz: Setting New Standards in

When it comestothe worldofluxur yreal estate, fewnames carr yasmuchrespect as Victoria Stultz. With acareerspanning over 23 years, Victoria has established herselfasatrueleaderinthe industry, renowned forher unparalleled expertise, exceptional salesrecord, anddedication to providinganoutstandingrealestateexperience.Asthe ownerofthree Engel& Völker shops, she is determined to redefineluxur yrealestatebrokerage standards in theVenice andSarasotaareas.

When it comes to the world of luxury real estate, few names carry as much respect as Victoria Stultz. With a career spanning over 23 years, Victoria has established herself as a true leader in the industry, renowned for her unparalleled expertise, exceptional sales record, and dedication to providing an outstanding real estate experience. As the owner of three Engel & Völker shops, she is determined to redefine luxury real estate brokerage standards in the Venice and Sarasota areas.

derstandingthatreal estate is builtonrelationships, she offerswhite-glove concierge service with atailoredapproach,ensuring each client enjoys an exceptional experience.

Luxury Real

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top luxury real estate firms. Positioning herself to cater to the needs of discerning clients, she recently opened her second shop in downtown Sarasota. However, her plans don’t stop there. Victoria intends on expanding into Lakewood Ranch and opening additional shops throughout the Gulf Coast, ensuring that her expertise and exceptional service reach even more clients.

andopeningadditionalshops throughout theGulfCoast,ensuringthather expertise andexceptional servicereach even more clients.

At the core of Victoria’s success lies her unwavering dedication to her clients. Understanding that real estate is built on relationships, she offers white-glove concierge service with a tailored approach, ensuring each client enjoys an exceptional experience.

At thecoreofVictoria's successliesher unwavering dedicationtoher clients. Un-

Victoria has big aspirations and is not content with resting on her laurels. Her vision is to establish her brokerage as one of the area’s

Victoria has bigaspirations andisnot contentwithresting on herlaurels.Her visionistoestablish herbrokerage as one of thearea's topluxur yreal estate firms Positioningherself to catertothe needsof discerningclients, she recentlyopenedher second shopindowntownSarasota. However,her plansdon't stopthere.VictoriaintendsonexpandingintoLakewoodRanch

Whether you are relocating from across the globe or are a local resident, Victoria Stultz, and her dedicated team of Advisors at Engel & Völkers are ready to provide you with unparalleled service and expertise. Choosing Engel & Völkers as your real estate partner guarantees an extraordinary journey from start to finish.

Whetheryou arerelocatingfromacross theglobe or arealocal resident, Victoria Stultz, andher dedicated team of Advisors at Engel& Völkersare readyto provide youwithunparalleled serviceand expertise.Choosing Victoria as your real estate partnerguaranteesanextraordinar yjourneyfromstart to finish.

BY JACQUELINE MILLER

You can see it, feel it, and yes, even get a bit testy about it. Whether its new homes or businesses, we have lots more of them than ever. It’s called GROWTH and with it comes lots of mixed feelings and blessings.

If you’re selling your home, you love this time. If you’re buying one, maybe not so much. Prices are high, but so is demand. If you’re starting a new business, with our population growth, the odds for success are in your favor. If you’re looking for work, there are lots of jobs for those ready, willing, and able.

Yes, life in Sarasota and Manatee is exciting, vibrant, and shows no signs of losing its luster anytime soon. So just how much have we grown? Where is everyone coming from? What can we expect for the future?

For some of the answers, we asked Real Estate Association of Sarasota-Manatee President Brian Tressider of William Raveis Real Estate, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County President & CEO Erin Silk, and Economic Development Corporation of Manatee County President & CEO Sharon Hillstrom to share what they know.

BRIAN TRESSIDER

Most of the new buyers purchasing homes or condos in the Sarasota and Manatee area are coming from the Northeast part of the country. In fact, the top three states that we see migration from into the Sarasota area are in the Northeast. This is a departure from what we saw several years ago when the buyers from the Northeast migrated to the East Coast of Florida, and Sarasota and Manatee would get a lot of buyers from the Midwest.

New construction has jumped significantly in the last two years. Starting in 2021, Sarasota and Manatee counties have seen a 76% and 61% increase respectively in new construction starts from the prior years, and we don’t see much reason to think those will slow down. Our area is still experiencing very high buyer demand, which has been outpacing our new construction starts, keeping

us in a very strong seller’s market. With the hope and expectation that we will see interest rates drop sometime in 2024, this will only help add to demand on our already low housing supply levels.

Even though real estate sales are currently significantly lower than what we saw in 2021 and 2022, I believe our market is strong. We have returned to similar activity in the market to what we experienced before COVID and even though sales have fallen, we see median sales prices holding steady. This is a testament to the draw our area has even during this time of very high-interest rates and homeowner insurance concerns. We very well could see prices resume an upward journey if interest rates come down in the future.

ERIN SILK

The Economic Development Council of Sarasota County is a public/private partnership dedicated to diversifying the Sarasota County economy through supporting the growth of and attracting diverse industry. We do this to support a resilient and strong economy.

I came to the EDC nearly five years ago and transitioned to become its president and CEO for the nine months prior to officially serving in this capacity commencing June 16 of this year. It is an honor to lead this organization following Lisa Krouse, who is such a strong and respected leader, and I also feel a lot of pride to lead the organization as we celebrate its 20th anniversary next year!

When it comes to business, Sarasota is definitely on the map! With all the recent accolades, we’ve been getting a lot of business attention. These 2023 accolades include being tapped as the “second most booming city in the country” by the Today Show and being listed as one of the “best places for young professionals” by U.S. News & World Report (#8). The Boyd Company, a respected provider of corporate site selection research, this year ranked Sarasota as one of the 30 best locations in the U.S. for headquarter operations.

It has been an exciting time to be in Sarasota. There is an energy and creativity that is vibrant here, and businesses are attracted to it. Many of the new businesses we’ve worked with are in technology. They chose to be in Sarasota because of the connectivity and the businessfriendly environment. The EDC team has met a lot of new Sarasota-based entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world, and we expect the interest to continue. We hope that through targeted branding and marketing we can grow the buzz about business in Sarasota.

SHARON HILLSTROM

As I review our progress at the Bradenton Area EDC, I believe the positive results we deliver flow from our deeply intentional strategic plan. We have forged and followed a plan based on solid research, creative ideas, and collaborative partnerships. We are an innovative and nimble organization that can flex the plan in response to local, state, and national trends. We think of it as strategic planning and doing.

Looking ahead, I believe one of the Bradenton area’s strongest growth sectors will be aviation and aerospace. Just as we pioneered an intentional, successful focus on the sports performance sector, we are leading the way in Florida on creating a robust aviation ecosystem. Research conducted for our strategic plan identifies a five-year growth rate of 14% for the sector, based on projected job growth, average earnings, and previous wins in the sector. Through our partnerships with Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Manatee Technical College, USF Sarasota-Manatee and others, the Bradenton area’s aviation ecosystem supports local, established businesses

while attracting attention from prospects nationally and overseas. This ecosystem provides resources like available building sites on and near the airport, the aviation maintenance training program planned at SRQ, creative and customizable incentive programs, and more.

Since 2009, the Bradenton Area EDC and its partners have assisted more than 200 businesses with expansions and relocations. These companies are projected to deliver more than 9,200 jobs and over $2 billion in wages from direct and indirect jobs through 2028. Equally important, they plan to make capital investments exceeding $1.5 billion. Additionally, in the past 12 months, our team conducted over 1,000 direct interactions with local, established businesses.

So, you see, our economic future continues to look very bright. We are no longer just a pretty place where people just come to retire. Let the interest rates drop and our real estate continue to thrive, let more corporate headquarters come our way, and let the good times continue to roll.

Judy Levine

Honoring Service

Empowering Veterans through Meaningful Employment and Housing

By Joshua Thomas Bray

Sarasota, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene, pristine beaches, and cultural allure, is also a city that takes pride in honoring its Veterans. The community deeply appreciates the sacrifices made by those who have served our country and as more Veterans seek meaningful employment and secure housing, the efforts of a few local organizations are making a world of difference in the lives of Veterans.

Among the remarkable institutions championing the cause of Veterans' employment in Sarasota is Experience Goodwill—an inspiration of hope for veteran employment. This esteemed organization has been a pillar of support for the community, providing job training, placement, and services to individuals facing barriers to employment. The Veterans' services offered by Experience Goodwill are as diverse as they are valuable. From vocational training and skills development to resume-building workshops and interview coaching, they equip Veterans with the tools needed to succeed as they explore the job market. In addition to these crucial services, Experience Goodwill also fosters partnerships with local businesses, creating a bridge between Veterans and potential employers.

Experience Goodwill understands that Veterans possess a unique skill set gained through their service that can

greatly benefit the workforce. Their approach goes beyond conventional job placement. Experience Goodwill's active collaboration with local businesses not only widens the horizons of job opportunities but also shows the strong support of the community. In addition to their vocational services, Experience Goodwill offers a supportive environment where Veterans can connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and build a sense of camaraderie.

" It is a privilege to support our Veteran community. Goodwill Manasota continues to look for new and innovative ways to engage our returning service members are their families. We are also very proud of our partnerships with local Veteran-focused organizations within the communities we serve. If you are a veteran or know of a veteran in need, we are here to help. Thank you for your service." Don Githens CEO and President of Goodwill Manasota.

At the heart of every vibrant community lies a dedication to providing secure housing for all, especially for those who have served in the armed forces. Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) CARES is a source of optimism for Veterans who encounter housing difficulties. They understand that stable housing is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life and offer comprehensive support to ensure

Veterans find a place to call home. From transitional housing programs that guide Veterans toward selfsufficiency to assistance with housing-related financial challenges, JFCS CARES has a holistic approach that addresses the varied needs of Veterans. By collaborating with various community partners and organizations, they ensure that Veterans have access to safe and affordable housing options. JFCS CARES empowers Veterans to regain stability and rebuild their lives by providing a supportive environment.

Their commitment extends beyond providing shelter; they also offer counseling, resources for financial literacy, and connections to mental health services. By addressing the multifaceted challenges that Veterans may face in their journey toward secure housing, JFCS CARES serves as a lifeline of hope. When it comes to Veterans, Stephen Kelley says,

" We strongly believe that a homeless veteran should not be a thing. These men and women served their country and deserve their basic and essential needs being met, most importantly having a roof over their heads. Our goal this year is to provide services to 410 veterans and we are on track to easily hit that mark. I think it is important that people understand that these are not just homeless veterans but that they are OUR

homeless veterans, right here in our community. I hope we can bridge the gap between creating awareness and taking action. Donating money, items needed, or volunteering time is crucial in helping serve those who have served. "

Heroes Welcome Home is an organization dedicated to supporting veterans by addressing one of their most critical needs: housing. One of the key services often provided by Heroes Welcome Home is transitional housing. This is a crucial step for veterans who may be experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Transitional housing programs offer a temporary place to stay while veterans work towards obtaining permanent housing. These programs often provide not only shelter but also various support services, such as case management, counseling, and job training, to help veterans regain their independence.

Many veterans face financial challenges when transitioning to civilian life. Heroes Welcome Home provides financial assistance to veterans struggling to afford a place to live. Heroes Welcome Home often collaborates with government agencies, local communities, and other non-profits to maximize their impact. These partnerships

help pool resources and expertise to better serve Veterans in need.

CEO Tony Barrett actively seeks opportunities to assist Veterans in need by directly connecting with government agencies and says, "We have been working closely with the Veterans Affairs at Bay Pines with getting Veterans in rental houses, paying the first and last month’s rent. In 2 months, we were able to provide $18,000 to help Veterans with housing. I feel like we are just taking off at this point. We are restructuring our efforts and brainstorming, working on aspects to further our reach in providing more support, funding, and assistance for our Veterans. "

Sarasota Quarters for Vets is another organization that acknowledges this challenge and has taken bold steps to provide Veterans with affordable and supportive housing options. With a mission to address the shortage of affordable housing, this organization focuses on ensuring Veterans have a nurturing environment to transition into civilian life smoothly. In recognizing that a stable living situation is fundamental to achieving personal and professional goals, Sarasota Quarters for Vets offers furnished apartments that serve as a

steppingstone for Veterans. Beyond providing physical housing, they offer essential resources, including counseling, job placement assistance, and connections to local services. This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also inspires an atmosphere of growth and stability.

In a world that often moves at a frenetic pace, it's reassuring to know that within the heart of Sarasota, Veterans find not only the support they need but also a community that recognizes and honors their sacrifices. Through meaningful employment opportunities, integrative healthcare services, and secure housing, these remarkable organizations are rewriting the narrative for Veterans, one success story at a time. Sarasota's commitment to supporting Veterans extends far beyond their initial introduction to these organizations.

The city's thriving network of support emphasizes continuity, and understanding that the journey toward stable employment and housing is ongoing. Through mentorship programs, networking events, and ongoing counseling, Veterans can rely on these institutions to guide them through the ups and downs of life post-military service. As the city continues to uphold its legacy of honoring Veterans, it's heartening to witness the transformational impact of organizations like Experience Goodwill, JFCS CARES, Sarasota Quarters for Vets, and Heroes Welcome Home. These organizations of compassion, empowerment, and hope embody the city's commitment to giving back to those who have given so much.

To learn more about how to support Veterans in Sarasota and the organizations helping them, please visit:

Experience Goodwill: www.experiencegoodwill.org/veteransservices

Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) CARES: www.jfcs-cares.org/veterans

Sarasota Quarters for Vets: srqvets.us

Heroes Welcome Home: www. hwhvets.com

RAISING the CURTAIN

Sarasota Opera Remains True to Composers’ Grand Visions: From Bizet’s Carmen to a Haydn rarity, this season is no exception

By Scott Ferguson

When the curtain rises on Sarasota Opera’s 2023-2024 mainstage season in November, audiences will be treated to The Music of Giacomo Puccini. The concert will showcase vocal artists backed by the Sarasota Orchestra, performing arias and ensembles from all 12 operas the composer wrote. The event will usher in a season ranging from familiar favorites like Georges Bizet’s Carmen to Deceit Outwitted , an opera written by Joseph Haydn — one of the world’s best-known classical music composers, but one whose operas are rarely performed.

When the curtain rises on Sarasota Opera’s 2023-2024 mainstage season in November, audiences will be treated to The Music of Giacomo Puccini. The concert will showcase vocal artists backed by the Sarasota Orchestra, performing arias and ensembles from all 12 operas the composer wrote. The event will usher in a season ranging from familiar favorites like Georges Bizet’s Carmen to Deceit Outwitted , an opera written by Joseph Haydn — one of the world’s best-known classical music composers, but one whose operas are rarel y performed.

Each season, explains General Director Richard Russell, “We try to do a piece that we've either never done, or it's been a very long time since we've done it, or it doesn't get done very frequently — something that's fairly rare, to draw opera lovers who are looking for something different, something that they can't see someplace else. Our regular subscribers like to see some things that are out of the ordinary, like the Haydn piece.”

By contrast, Sarasota Opera has produced Carmen five previous times. One of the best-known and most performed operas of all time, its popular melodies include

“People know those tunes; they’ll start humming them as soon as they hear them,” says Russell. “ Carmen is special to me because it was the first opera I ever saw. I think it’s a great first opera for people.”

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi adds, “I don’t think there’s a popular opera that's really not a great piece. These operas have been alive a long time and they're beautifully composed. Sometimes people think, ‘Oh, it's popular. How good could it be?’ But the most popular operas are really among the greatest operas. And they’re also dramatically great. With every great opera, you feel for the characters, you feel empathy.”

Selecting which operas to stage is just part of the balancing act that goes into planning a season. DeRenzi describes it as “a very long process, because there's a lot we would like to do — that we feel this company should do, that we feel the opera world should do. It's how it all fits together that’s important.”

Habanera and The Toreador Song — with instrumental versions heard in countless movies and TV shows.

Maestro DeRenzi & Richard Russell.

Photo by Matthew Holler.

Russell and DeRenzi, who are so in sync that they often finish each other’s sentences, talk about the math involved in putting together a season that will work financially as well as artistically. The factors in the equation include the number of singers that will be required, from chorus-heavy to a lighter opera like Deceit Outwitted , the Haydn piece that doesn’t need as many voices or as large an orchestra.

Then there are the sets: “Probably the largest single expense in a particular opera,” says Russell. “So we have a stock of sets, especially for the very popular operas that we use. We typically have to build a set or two during a season, so those are considerations. Also making sure that the set can work in the context of a four-opera season, because we have a limited amount of space backstage.”

The company has sometimes rented sets from other organizations, but finding sets with dimensions that work can be a challenge, since the stage is smaller than those at some other venues American opera buffs know. The Sarasota Opera House is smaller than many other U.S. opera houses; it seats 1,119 people. By comparison,

Carmen. Photos by Rod Millington.

the Metropolitan Opera House in New York is about 3½ times larger, with a total capacity of over 3,900.

“I think seeing almost any opera in a theater of our size is really a very special event,” says DeRenzi. “If you’ve seen opera in New York, San Francisco or Chicago, for example, you might look at our theater and say, ‘Oh, this is a small theater.’ But it's actually not. The problem is, those theaters are big. But Verdi and Puccini didn't anticipate their operas being performed in theaters of 4,000 people.”

As an example, DeRenzi cites Giuseppe Verdi’s Ernani . Staged by Sarasota Opera last season, the opera was first produced in 1844 in Venice, Italy, at the Teatro La Fenice. With a capacity of 1,126, La Fenice holds just seven more people than the Sarasota Opera House seats.

“The immediacy of singers singing right at you and you being so involved in the production is something that makes coming to operate in Sarasota so special,” notes DeRenzi. “We do Mozart and it's even bigger than some of the theaters where Mozart heard his own operas performed.”

And it’s not just the relative intimacy of the Sarasota Opera House that makes it special. DeRenzi says, “We have a very specific aesthetic as a company: we produce operas the way the composer intended. That's an important part of our mission. It means if the story says we're outside of a bull ring or in the mountains, we try to make it look like that. Many companies don't do that anymore, these just use a white wall or the equivalent.”

The Sarasota Opera is known throughout the opera world as the only company that has staged all 28 of Verdi’s operas. Known as the Verdi Cycle, the project began in 1989 and was completed in the 2015-2016 season. This season, the company will mount a new production of Verdi’s Luisa Miller , last staged in 1999 as part of the cycle.

Russell explains that the company took a break from Verdi for a few years after completing the cycle. “But now we have returned to staging a Verdi opera every year, because that’s our brand, an important part of the culture of the company and Maestro DeRenzi. So we made the decision a few years ago to revisit some of the Verdi works we have not done in a long time.

We did Ernani last year, which we had not done since 1997. And we haven’t done Luisa Miller for about 25 years.”

Another important aspect of the company’s mission is the Sarasota Youth Opera, the only program in the U.S. committed to presenting an annual full-scale opera production for young voices, as well as accepting all young people ages 8 to 18 who wish to participate — as many as 100 students in some years. This season, the Youth Opera production is Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep.

DeRenzi notes that “there are a lot of choral groups for kids, but we show them that opera is not just singing. They learn about what it's like to be backstage. They learn about sets and costumes. And we try to give them the idea that this is a great art

form that's not the same as sitting in your church and singing choir, or being in your middle school choir. This is different. It's a dramatic art.”

The Sarasota Opera also has a robust outreach program, including sending singers to the Sarasota Bay Club retirement community and to schools, as well as partnering with the organization Embracing Our Differences to bring students to matinees in the

In addition to helping people of all ages in the local community discover or rediscover the majesty of opera, Russell explains that “about 25 percent of our audience

Bravo! Sarasota Opera’s 2023-2024 Season

Operas are sung in their original languages and translated into English in supertitles that appear above the stage. Get ready for a season of divas, drama and divine music!

The Music of Giacomo Puccini (Nov. 10 and 12, 2023) This concert of selections from all 12 Puccini operas will be conducted by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi and will continue the company’s partnership with the Sarasota Orchestra. Soloists will include Sarasota Opera favorite artists sopranos Hanna Brammer and Erica Petrocelli, tenors Rafael Dávila and Christopher Oglesby. Baritone Jean Carlos Rodriguez will be making his company debut with this concert.

The Little Sweep, by Benjamin Britten, a Sarasota Youth Opera Production (Nov. 4 and 5, 2023) Composer Britten and librettist Eric Crozier were inspired by two poems by William Blake about a young chimney sweep. The poems exposed the evils of child labor in 18th century England. First performed by Sarasota Youth Opera in 2005, this production, moved to 19th century Boston, includes an original prologue by conductor Jesse Martins and director Martha Collins.

Carmen, by Georges Bizet (Feb. 17-March 22, 2024) Based on an already classic story by Prosper Mérimée, the story contains sex, violence and murder, and was quite controversial for its time. The opera, set in southern Spain, tells the story of Carmen, a gypsy woman who seduces a soldier, Don José. Carmen, which premiered in Paris in 1875, was staged by the Sarasota Opera in its 1987, 1992, and 1999 seasons. The current production was first seen in 2012 and 2018. The cast includes Chelsea Laggan in the title role and Victor Starsky as Don José.

Lucia Di Lammermoor , by Gaetano Donizetti (Feb. 24-March 23, 2024) Deceit leads to murder and madness in Donizetti’s 1835 masterpiece, based on Sir Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor. The opera premiered in Naples, Italy, in 1835. To save his family’s fortunes, Enrico Ashton has promised his sister Lucia’s hand to a Scottish nobleman, instead of Edgardo, the man she loves, and a member of a rival family The cast features Ashley Milanese as Lucia, Christopher Oglesby as Edgardo, and Jean Carlos Rodriguez as Enrico.

Maestro DeRenzi: “Lucia is the essence of romantic opera. When you read novels of the 1800s, if someone’s going to an opera, it’s going to be Lucia. Flaubert’s Madame Bovary

goes to see Lucia. In Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, when the characters go to the opera, it’s Lucia. I think it’s about as iconic an opera as you can get, along with Carmen, of course.”

Luisa Miller , by Guiseppe Verdi (March 9-24, 2024) Luisa, the daughter of an old soldier, is in love with Carlo, who is really Rodolfo, the son of the ruthless Count Walter. The count’s opposition to the couple’s love leads to tragedy, in this 1849 opera filled with memorable arias and thrilling ensembles. Aviva Fortunata sings the role of Luisa, Rafael Dávila is Rodolfo and Ricardo José Rivera is Miller, Luisa’s father.

Richard Russell: “Luisa Miller is one of my favorite of the lesser-known Verdi operas; there’s some absolutely incredible music in it.”

Deceit Outwitted (L’infedetlà delusa), by Joseph Haydn (March 15-23, 2024) In this light comedy — a Sarasota Opera premiere — the peasant Filippo hopes his daughter Sandrina will marry the rich farmer Nencio instead of the poor peasant she loves. Through a series of comic complications and (including a parade of disguises), all

is resolved, accompanied by Haydn’s inventive score and brilliant singing. Hanna Brammer plays Vespina, Yulan Piao is Sandrina, William Davenport portrays Nencio, and David Walton plays Filippo.

Russell: “I personally have loved Haydn for a long time. He wrote a lot of music: 104 symphonies, but only 17 operas. This one seemed like the right size, the right scale for the opera house. It worked well in the context of this season, because it is a smaller piece. We have three with rather larger choruses, and there is no chorus in this opera. And we knew we had the singers to be able to do it. So it seemed like an opportunity to present an opera from a significant composer. There’s some really wonderful music in it. It’s an opportunity for singers to try out something new, and for our audience to hear something different.”

DeRenzi (whispering): “Also, nobody dies!

Russell (laughing): “Yes, it’s important to balance the very heavy operas with something lighter. Carmen, Lucia and Luisa are all very dramatic. It’s nice to include a lighter opera like Deceit Outwitted.”

Building Brighter Futures

Easterseals Academy K–12 Education

Imagine a place where every student’s journey is celebrated, challenges are met with compassion and potential is nurtured with care. This is Easterseals Academy, where we believe in the extraordinary abilities of every child by embracing a whole-person approach to education.

We proudly offer the following for students through age 22:

• Three campus locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties

• Small class sizes

• Personalized instruction plans

• Enrichment opportunities through music, art, yoga, dance and more

• Community-based instruction opportunities

• Life skills training

• Transition planning and vocational training (students aged 16-22)

• Job coaching and training (students aged 16-22)

To learn more or to enroll your child in the Easterseals Academy, scan the QR code to the left, visit Easterseals-SWFL.org or call 941.355.7637.

Mr. Ford goes to auction

By Gus Mollasis

When Andrew Ford of Sarasota Estate Auction starts the bidding at its next two auctions In November, he will mark an incredible milestone in his interesting and fulfilling career.

When you are raised behind an antique shop in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it should come as no surprise that life leads you to a career of seeking, finding, and selling some of the most interesting works and treasures by some of the art world’s biggest names.

And that’s exactly what the affable and knowledgeable gentleman named Andrew Ford has done for some thirty years—addressing the needs of his clients and customers with confidence and an empathy that tells them “You’ll be taken care of. I got this.”

And while he may accomplish his goal, both he, his wife and co-owner Lathrop Ford, and his staff never take their clients or customers for granted for this simple reason.

According to Ford , “ The most important part of our business is recognizing that these are people’s personal objects, and we are granted the privilege and honor of being that vehicle or vessel which respects the transition of valuables from one good home to the next.”

Home for Andrew Ford, at least his home for the artistic treasures he encounters, is in historic Burns Court. Both his Sarasota Trading and Sarasota Estate

“The most important part of our business is recognizing that these are people’s personal objects, and we are granted the privilege and honor of being that vehicle or vessel which respects the transition of valuables from one good home to the next.”

Auction businesses are located at 522 South Pineapple, adjacent to Burns Court theater and in front of Owen’s Fish Camp. Ford moved the auction component of the operation to this downtown location three years ago and has also opened two art galleries—Ford Art & Antiques at 510 South Pineapple and Andrew Ford Fine Art located at 502 South Pineapple, exclusively featuring the works of Venezuelan born American artist and sculptor Jorge Blanco.

For Ford, his commitment is not only to his love of art, but it is also to the city of Sarasota. “ What’s not to love about Sarasota? The sun, the beaches, the great golf, and tennis,” he says. “But for me and the many who come here from all over the country, it’s the great passion our community has in supporting the arts—all art.”

While art is the name of Ford’s game, make no mistake, the man with the easy smile and piercing blue eyes, who stands six feet four and hovers gently above the enthusiastic crowds who attend his auctions throughout the year, takes his business of art very seriously. And because of that he has had staying power in an industry where the faint of heart fade away and those lacking passion don’t stick around.

Ford is ready once again to step to the podium for his next Sarasota Estate Auction (Saturday, November 4 & Sunday, November 5), take the gavel in hand, and welcome all those attending either in person, via the phone, or through the online platforms, as he introduces art lovers both down the street and across the pond to a world of artistic treasures that comprise his always riveting auctions.

“Our November Fine Art auction is a milestone in my auctioneer career as our Saturday November 4 auction will be our 99 th auction, and our Sunday, November 5 auction will be our 100 th auction.”

Even to Ford, who makes the art of conducting an auction look easy, this is a big deal with many big names to tout and market to the art loving public.

With recent auctions, even while Ford has dropped the gavel selling works by Picasso, Dali, Hockney, Romare Bearden, John Singer Sargent and even a Grandma Moses, he’s not a name dropper in the traditional sense. But even he can’t hide his excitement for the upcoming auction and the temptation to drop a few names.

“We have an exceptional collection featuring Dale Chihuly—four pieces of art glass and three important abstract paintings. Dale Chihuly is one of the big icons in the art glass world,” he says with a smile. “My colleague calls these pieces the Magnificent Seven.”

“We also have a monumental collage by David Hockney who is truly a British Modern Master. And I’m really excited about a piece called The Four Seasons by Francoise Gilot, the muse and inspiration of none other than Pablo Picasso.”

You can always count on every auction conducted by Andrew Ford and Sarasota Estate Auction to have an eclectic lineup of fine art and antiques. And the next two milestone auctions are no different. Wide ranging. Eclectic. Something for everyone.

In addition to the Chihuly, Hockney, and Gilot pieces, the November auction will feature other fine art as well as an important collection of estate jewelry including fine gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and gemstone rings.

The always thoughtful Ford ponders the line he walks, performing as both one of the best auction houses in Florida, personally catering to the needs of the local market, while at the same time being a big global player exposing his client’s treasures to the world market.

“As a result of the global demand for fine art and antiques, we have found that a sale with depth in various disciplines leads to the highest gross.”

Like any successful business owner, Ford monitors and stresses the importance of supply and demand. “Demand for fine art, jewelry and style has never been stronger,” says Ford.

“Our global reach increases with every auction. Clients in Europe, China and Southeast Asia are acquiring new inventory at a staggering rate, and Sarasota continues to be the epicenter of art and culture in the state of Florida.”

Ford’s auctions often include not only fine art, but Asian porcelains, estate jewelry, time pieces, stylish furniture, and high fashion. Each auction has its own unique identity, and the outcome often correlates to the intellect and savvy of the buyers.

Everyone is invited on November 4 and 5 to 522 South Pineapple Avenue for these two milestone auctions. And one thing is for sure. There will be buyers from all over the world.

The couple in Venice with their sights set on a Gilot; the man in Boston seeking a painting from the American school; the porcelain collector in China; the Hockney enthusiast in London, and of course Chihuly fans worldwide.

Most likely, deep down inside, Andrew Ford can’t help but a feel a bit proud of his milestone accomplishment. Who wouldn’t be? And like any pro, it represents the next exciting time he can perform his highest form of service in his life destiny and represents two more times he has a chance to move special pieces of art from one good home to another.

Bravo, Mr. Ford!

For more information on the November 4 and 5 auction and other auctions, please call (941) 359-8700 or visit sarasotaestateauction.com.

spA rcc

Ignites

b y Kaileia s uvannamaccha

In 1979, Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) forged out of necessity. At that time, there was a dire lack of resources available for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The story of a woman whose daughter was raped on Siesta Key shed light on an undeniable void in support for victims of these crimes.

Grassroots Beginnings

The organization’s roots were firmly planted by a group of dedicated women who joined forces to address this crisis. The emergence of a hotline operated from someone’s home marked the inception of SPARCC.

Today, SPARCC has evolved from its humble homebased beginnings to a multi-location organization boasting a shelter and helpline that are staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It also has a community thrift store “SPARCC Treasure Chest,”

located in downtown Sarasota, whose proceeds help fund the agency’s free and confidential services and serve as a free resource for survivors in their time of need. Jessica Hays, SPARCC President and CEO points out, “All of these things started from people who saw a need and came together in our community to meet those needs.”

Volunteers have played a pivotal role in the organization’s expansion over the years. Jean Gay, founding member and former executive director, continues to support the agency at the age of 94. Guided by the ferocious dedication of women, including SPARCC’s current board chair, Barbara V. Gardner, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to the mission of “providing a safe haven and promoting empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence” (sparcc.net).

Hays states, “Jean’s daughter, Becky Mahoney, is also still involved as well, having served on our board of directors for nine years, including her role as board chair from 2020-2022. It’s a really amazing legacy and a great example of the organizational culture of dedication that our supporters have created.”

A Multi-Faceted and Collaborative Approach to Support SPARCC’s array of services often astounds people with its depth. SPARCC and key partners offer a comprehensive array of resources and services, including hospital response, crisis intervention, counseling, and co-located staff at the Department of Children and Families to aid families navigating domestic violence within child welfare cases. Additionally, SPARCC’s in-house attorneys provide free and confidential legal aid.

Accessibility is at the core of SPARCC’s mission. Services are provided free and confidentially, making help available to all survivors regardless of their financial circumstances. “We just want to remove as many barriers as possible.” Hays recognizes and encourages the transformative potential of small contributions, noting that “even donating a cellphone or hygiene product can make a significant difference in the life of a survivor.”

A Beacon of Awareness and Education SPARCC’s impact extends beyond direct support. The organization is committed to community awareness, offering training to professionals across various fields. From law enforcement to educators, SPARCC’s staff strives to educate the community about domestic violence and sexual assault. Prevention, education, and community outreach serve as vital components of SPARCC’s mission and has far-reaching effects, shaping community perceptions and attitudes.

Hays speaks to the power of awareness in challenging outdated beliefs and perceptions. “The more people encounter information and resources about domestic violence and sexual assault, the more likely they are to challenge stereotypes,” she says. By engaging the community through presentations, fundraisers, and education, SPARCC aims to dismantle the pervasive silence surrounding these issues.

Furthermore, SPARCC’s efforts extend into policy improvements and inter-agency collaboration. Jessica Hays notes, “We’ve seen significant enhancements in policies and procedures regarding medical and law enforcement response, as well as the communication

Jessica Hays

Becky Mahoney and Jean Gay

The Helpline.

protocols among victim service providers. Our approach aims to prevent re-traumatization and re-victimization during the process of offering assistance.” This holistic approach is evident through initiatives like the coordinated community response team focusing on domestic violence. Collaborations involving the State Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, and SPARCC have yielded fruitful results.

A Vision for Safer Communities

A stark reality highlighted by Jessica Hays reveals that while SPARCC provides shelter, it’s not a permanent solution: “You can come to the shelter, and you can stay...but ultimately, it is not a long term place to be.” The shortage of viable options tailored to the unique needs of domestic violence survivors is undeniable.

In response, SPARCC sought a viable solution and piloted a housing stability project through a sizable grant award from Impact 100 SRQ. This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, offering rental assistance and comprehensive services to guide survivors towards independent housing. With a successful launch and almost one-year under its belt, SPARCC is determined

to sustain this life-changing program. Jessica Hays shares, “It’s been really successful...to have a path for people is really exciting.”

SPARCC’s dedication is exemplified in its expansion efforts as well. Bolstering resources in DeSoto County has become a priority. Hays notes, “You have to be in the community...for the community to trust you and to come forth and to seek those services.”

Through its strategic growth efforts and wrap-around programs, like its housing stability project, SPARCC’s actions speak volumes, offering real solutions to real problems.

Empowerment as the Guiding Philosophy

At the core of SPARCC’s approach lies the principle of empowerment. This philosophy is deeply rooted in restoring power to survivors.

“We empower survivors with the means to make decisions that resonate with their own needs and aspirations.” By implementing safety planning and offering comprehensive resources, SPARCC provides

“

w e empower survivors with the means to ma K e decisions that resonate with their own needs and aspirations.”

The original haven

survivors with the means to confidently navigate their own unique journeys to a new beginning.

Jessica Hays elaborates on the complexity of survivors’ experiences. She acknowledges that it can be challenging for outsiders to understand the decisions survivors make. “Some people are like, but why don’t they just leave? Or why can’t they?” Hays points out that these questions often stem from misconceptions and highlights the importance of asking the right questions. “The question we should be asking is, why do they stay? What is the perpetrator doing that is preventing them from leaving?” she asserts.

Understanding the complexity of survivors’ situations is crucial to providing effective support. “I think it’s hard to understand how many times it takes someone to leave an abusive relationship or how someone’s past trauma might lead them to experience abuse in different ways in their life,” she states. SPARCC’s commitment to creating a welcoming and non-judgmental environment is evident in the stories of survivors.

Hays shared a touching example of a woman who returned to the shelter feeling embarrassed and ashamed. The staff’s warm welcome and affirmation, “Welcome back. We’re just so glad you’re here,” became a turning point in her journey. SPARCC believes in supporting survivors unconditionally, regardless of how many times they seek help, and wherever they may be along their journey.

A Legacy of Support and Empowerment Hays reflects on the poignant truth that SPARCC often encounters individuals on their worst days, in those moments of crisis and vulnerability when they need support the most. While these moments may not always lead to immediate closure or happy endings, SPARCC’s work is a vital part of each survivor’s journey to healing and renewal.

Hays shares heartwarming anecdotes of the impact SPARCC has had on survivors’ lives, reminding us of the lasting influence of their efforts. From receiving notes of sincere gratitude to witnessing full-circle moments where individuals come back transformed and empowered, SPARCC’s commitment to making a difference is awe-inspiring. The organization recognizes that it’s not just about intervening during the crisis; it’s about igniting lasting change, nurturing resilience, and empowering individuals to reclaim their lives.

SPARCC stands as a symbol of hope, strength, and unity in the Sarasota community and beyond. Jessica Hays’ 16-year ongoing journey at SPARCC echoes the organization’s enduring commitment to its mission.

“It would break your heart,” she said, “if you knew how many people you encounter every day that have been touched by domestic violence or sexual assault.”

For more information on SPARCC, please call 941.365.1976 or visit www.SPARCC.net.

e D uc Ation matters

CAT DEPOT: LEADING THE WAY IN FELINE EDUCATION AND ADOPTION SERVICES

By Tom Reese

Twenty years ago, a local cat shelter low on resources became completely overwhelmed with the number of cats it housed, including many that were malnourished and sick. Sarasota County was forced to step in and begin removing those cats, and euthanasia seemed like the most likely outcome.

Hearing about the bleak situation, a group of residents led by Ken Slavin, and his wife Linda, set out to come up with a solution. They quickly came up with a plan and arrived at the shelter where they acquired 262 cats desperately needing new homes and love. They rented a temporary storefront to safely house and care for their new furry friends where they eventually were given legal authority for adoption processes to begin. With the help of the community, Cat Depot was born.

Twenty years later, Cat Depot has found forever homes for nearly 20,000 cats and has become an exemplary leader in the animal shelter industry. In addition to adoption services, the nonprofit organization provides free cat food and supplies through a community food bank, affordable cat-specific veterinary care through their public clinic, and much more.

Educational Outreach Programs

“When we say we’re a resource for rescue, adoption and education, we really mean all of it,” says Claudia Harden, Director of Communications and Development. “We definitely put a ton of our time and money into the education aspect.”

Cat Depot prides itself on a variety of different programs and initiatives to educate the public on topics such as feline health, socialization, and behavioral traits. These programs target people of all ages, from children just beginning how to read, to seniors transitioning to retirement.

One of the more interesting and popular programs, coined “Cats and Coffee,” is a monthly lecture series available to adults. Attendees will meet at Cat Depot’s Community Center where a panel of hosts discuss various topics such as teaching cats to walk on leashes, training to notice abnormal health issues, and much more. Cats will roam the room as everyone enjoys freshly brewed coffee and feline conversation. The next “Cats and Coffee” lecture will take place November 11, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will feature a panel of experts explaining how

to navigate busy holiday seasons with your cats to make sure they are safe and comfortable.

The largest scaled educational program that Cat Depot hosts is actually geared toward children and teenagers. Critter Camp is a six to eight week summer camp where kids from the ages of 8-14 are able to attend. Each week carries a different theme such as interacting with kittens, learning behavioral traits of cats, and veterinary careers. Other activities include yoga lessons with cats, trivia, games, arts and crafts.

Despite being hosted at Cat Depot, Critter Camp is not exclusive to cats and kittens. The camp also includes lectures and visits from guest speakers in all aspects of animal life. In 2023, camp attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts from organizations like Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Sarasota County Animal Services. Registration for Critter Camp 2024 is open on Cat Depot’s website and costs $175 per week.

Cat Depot also hosts a children’s program called Cat University. The one-day workshop takes place when kids

are off from school for teacher grading days or minor holidays. Parents can sign up their children to participate in crafts, art projects, science projects, all while interacting and playing with the cats on site. The kids can leave the workshop with a sense of service as well, because some of the projects include creating toys for the cats or other staples such as bedding or trap covers.

In addition to all of their in-person events, Cat Depot hosts an expansive online resource library for anyone to view. This includes instructional videos on a wide range of topics such as how to trim your cat’s nails, brush their teeth, caring for foster kittens, and advice from veterinarians on staff. This initiative also includes an entire virtual education center where people can explore their virtual classroom with 13 interactive icons that lead to videos, games, activities, and other resources.

Fun Activities and Programs

Reading to Rescues is a program designed to provide a fun environment for young children to continue to learn how to read. Parents and their children will enter one of the pods, individual rooms with rescued cats, and read stories out loud to them. This provides the cats

Reading to Rescues

Catify Ceramics

with much needed exposure to children and humans to help build confidence and social skills. It also allows these toddlers to learn how to safely interact with cats and prevent possible accidents or harmful situations.

“Although there are a ton of people in the shelter and we absolutely do play with the cats quite frequently, we’re not children,” says Susan Hanus, Executive Director of Cat Depot. “Having children go in there and having the cats exposed to all ages of people is very important.”

Another fun program that allows the cats to interact with people is called Namastray Yoga. Hosted by Liana Sheintal Bryant, instructor at Rosemary Court Yoga, attendees can take part in an hour-long yoga session while cats and kittens run around and explore. This takes place twice a month at Cat Depot’s Community Center and registration can be found on Cat Depot’s website for a small donation.

Namastray Yoga has actually helped some of the cats find their forever homes. On one occasion, a mother and daughter completely fell in love with one of the kittens during their yoga session, and came back the next day to adopt it.

“We bring in cats and kittens that are up for adoption and turn them loose to rule the roost,” says Harden.

“Sometimes people get booted off their yoga mats, sometimes they can’t move because they have a kitten laying on them. It can be a little chaotic but it’s a lot of fun and a unique yoga experience.”

Recently Cat Depot has teamed up with an organization called Pets for the Elderly, which subsidizes adoptions for people 60 years or older. The main focus of this initiative is to pair senior people with senior cats who are at least eight years old. A majority of relinquishments of senior cars occur when their owner can no longer care for them. Sarasota is home to a large retirement community, so these numbers are much higher than other big cities.

“Whether it’s because the owner has passed, or moved into a nursing home, or whatever the situation is, these cats need a new home,” says Hanus. “They’re usually older, nice cats that have been well cared for and loved, but harder to adopt out because of their age.”

This program allows these senior cats to find a loving home to live out the rest of their lives, while providing mental health benefits and companionship to their senior owners. It is common for elderly people to have a much better quality of life directly related to their adopted pets. Pets for the Elderly has facilitated over 100,000 adoptions since 2002, and Cat Depot is just the latest shelter to join their network.

Namastray yoga

How To Get Involved

As Cat Depot continues to grow and expand beyond its 20th anniversary, there are a multitude of ways you can get involved to help. Once a month, income qualified individuals can pick up free cat food, toys, and treats at their community food bank. This year alone, Cat Depot estimates that 13,000 cats will be fed and cared for as a direct result of donations given for their food bank. You can visit their website to find Amazon Wish Lists and options to donate food and supplies through other websites like Chewy and Cuddly.

While Cat Depot has a fairly large full time staff, the shelter truly runs off hard working volunteers. People of all ages can make a difference and help the cause. Whether it’s children creating toys and beddings during one of their activities, teenagers volunteering to complete community service hours, or even adults just looking for ways to help, volunteers are the backbone of Cat Depot.

A vast majority of Cat Depot’s funding stems from monetary donations and fundraisers. They have not been able to host their annual gala the last three years due to Covid-19 and gathering restraints. However, this year it will be returning bigger and better than ever. Previous fundraising galas included silent auctions, live entertainment, art and fashion displays, and visits from kittens up for adoption. If you’re interested in participating in this year’s gala, or getting involved in other volunteer opportunities, visit catdepot.org for event announcements and details.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

on Cat Depot, please call (941) 366-2404 or visit www.catdepot.org.

est se A ts

oct 2023 |

Bartist series concerts

941.306.1200/artistseriesconcerts.org

NEXUS Chamber Music

October 1

Ilya Yakushev, Piano

October 10

Joseph Parrish, Base-Baritone And Joseph Holt, Piano

October 18

Amit Peled, Cello and Solomon Eichner, Piano

October 29-30

florida studio theatre

941.366.9000/ floridastudiotheatre.org

Creedance Clearwater Remixed

Thru October 22

fogarty community media & arts center

941.894.6469/wslr.org/fogartyville

Facing Race:

A Living Room Styled Dialogue

October 12

Driftwood

October 13

PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

Blair Crimmins and The Hookers

October 15

Ellis Paul

October 20

hermitage artist retreat hermitageartistretreat.org

Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens Series

October 5

jazz club of sarasota

941.260.9951/jazzclubsarasota.com

Jazz Thursday at Sarasota Art Museum

October 12

JCS Season Opening

October 13

key chorale

941.475.6756/keychorale.org

Bachtoberfest

October 13-15

lemon bay playhouse

941.921.4845/lemonbayplayhouse.com

Let’s Murder Marsha

Starting October 18

manatee performing arts center

941.749.1111/ manateeperformingartscenter.com

Cuban Project: Historias

October 7

One Voice: The Music of Barry Manilow

October 14

mccurdy’s comedy theatre

941.925.3869/mccurdyscomedy.com

Ken Miller

October 4-8

Humor Institute Class Performance

October 18

Hard Heart Burlesque

October 22

Open Bar Comedy

October 24

Andrew Dice Clay

October 26

Drag Queen Bingo Extravaganza

October 29

Dr. Reichbach and his staff have committed to the mission of providing hope to those suffering from pain and mental health illnesses since first opening the Gulf Coast Ketamine Center in 2016. In 2020, the practice began a partnership with Veterans in Pain, a national nonprofit dedicated to solutions for U.S. veterans suffering from physical and emotional chronic pain. Serving as the director of the ketamine division for Veterans in Pain, Dr. Reichbach proudly offers discounted services through Reichbach Center for veterans and their immediate family members.

musica sacra of sarasota

941.405.7322/musicasacrasarasota. org

New Beginnings

October 27

the players center for performing arts

941.365.2494/theplayers.org

Ruthless!

Thru October 15 rise above performing arts center riseabovearts.com

Newsies: The Broadway Musical October 19-22, & 26-29

the sarasota ballet

941.359.0099/sarasotaballet.org

Program 1

October 20-22

sarasota orchestra

941.953.4252/sarasotaorchestra.org

Free Family Concert: Ferret in the Orchestra

October 6

Chamber Soirées 1: Rare Gems

October 8

Great Escapes 1: New York, New York

October 11-14

Discoveries: London Calling

October 21

Star Wars: A New Hope

October 27-28

sarasota performing arts center

941.953.3368/vanwezel.org

Romeo & Juliet

October 8

Bored Teachers: We Can’t Make This Stuff Up

Comedy Tour

October 13

Nick Carter: Who I Am Tour

October 20

urbanite theatre

941.321.1397/urbanitetheatre.com

The Sound Inside

Starting October 20

venice theatre

941.488.1115/venicetheatre.org

Reefer Madness

Thru October 8

The Addams Family

Starting October 13

Pickleball

Starting October 27

alex art international

813.465.1249/alexartinternational.com

Artists in Residence:

Fabio Del Boni

Massimo Meda

Guido Borelli

Paolo Passoni

Europe in the 1990’s

Sharon Grimes

Bill Stone

Edoardo Montaina

Andrea Hillebrand

The Masters

art center sarasota

941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org

Storytelling: A Visual Narrative

October 20

Randy Globus: Personifications

October 27

artcenter manatee

941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org

Create

Thru October 6

Florida Finds

Starting October 10

Mike Knapp Replaced

Starting October 10

Instructor Showcase

Starting October 10

chasen galleries

941.260.5787 / chasengalleries.com

Artists in Residence:

Hessam

Pino

Joanne Rafferty

Cathy Shepherd (glass)

Renato Foti (glass)

Markow & Norris (glass)

creative liberties

941.799-6634/creativeliberties.net

Sarasota Bayfront Park

Thru March 14, 2024

embracing our differences

941.404.5710/

embracingourdifferences.org

Art in Common Places

October 5-28

Feature Artists Exhibition

(901B Apricot Ave)

October 5-28

Feature Artists on View (340 Central Ave)

Thru October 28

island gallery & studios

941.778.6648/islandgallerywest.artspan.com

Jody Goldman

October 1-31

ringling college galleries

941.359.5700/ringlingcollege.gallery

Teaching and Learning

Thru October 20

2023 Annual Summer Exhibition

Thru October 20

2023 Annual Faculty Exhibition

Thru October 20

ringling museum

941.359.5700 / ringling.org

As long as there is sun, as long as there is light

Thru Jan 7, 2024

Art Deco Lacquer and Textiles from Japan

Thru October 22

Lorna Bieber: Natural World

Thru October 15

Guercino’s Friar with a Gold Earring: Far

Bonaventura Bisi, Painter and Art Dealer

Thru Jan 21, 2024

Alex Art International

Art Center Sarasota

Island Gallery Studios

Sarasota Art Museum

oct 2023 | VISUAL ARTS CALENDAR

500 Years of Italian Drawings from the Princeton University Art Museum

Thru Jan 21, 2024

sarasota art museum sarasotaartmuseum.org

Reassembling Split Light

Thru October 29

Chakaia Booker: Surface Pressure

Thru October 29

SPAACES

941.374.3492/spaaces.art

Marina Shaltout

October 6-28

the southern atelier

941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org

See Website for Classes & Studios

wyland galleries

whylandgallerysarasota.com

Holly Webber

October 26–29

TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT/EXHIBITION FOR

, please send information to editor@scenesarasota.com

LIVE LI FELuxe

Top producer for the past 3 consecutive years

Over $63 million sold in 2 and $103 million

#7 Top-Selling Premier Sotheby’s International Global Real Estate Advisor in Sarasota Region

SUPPLEMENTS AND SUPERFOODS: HOW OFTEN AND HOW MUCH?

By Jill Morris, DMD

Since Covid hit the scene, people tell me they are trying to build their immune system by taking supplements and juicing vegetables. So, one month I decided to go on a liver cleanse. Each morning I would blend garlic, ginger, and grapefruit for my breakfast drink. I loved it so much, I continued to drink it after the six-week cleanse was complete. A few months later I had a series of Botox® injections to soften my wrinkles and noticed that every injection point bruised. That had never happened before.

I recently worked with a healthy 40 something year old man who needed extensive dental work. He did not take any medications. His blood was bright red, and he bled so extensively that I had a difficult time finishing the procedure. Upon questioning him, he said that he took superfood supplements every day which included garlic, turmeric, curcumin, fish oils, ginger, and vitamin A. I asked him to stop his supplements for his follow-up procedure a month later to place his final restorations. His bleeding was minimal and easily managed. I have noticed an increase of bleeding gums in my patients no matter the age who are not on pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Many patients are juicing vegetables daily. In Sally Norton’s book, “Toxic Superfoods”, she discusses how oxalate overload from plants such as spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes can cause chronic health conditions. Oxalates are toxins released by plants that cause damage in the body. Excess oxalates are deposited in the teeth, bones, marrow, thyroid, and breast tissues, to name a few, and can interrupt proper cell functioning. Excess oxalate is deposited in the joints and are associated with arthritis pain, gout, and tendonitis. High oxalate deposits are also associated with Parkinson’s disease and MS because of nerve cell demyelination.

As a dentist, I know that the gums are an important barrier to keep bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Bacteria ulcerate the inside lining of the gums and pass through

the barrier into the bloodstream. These bacteria have been found in the clogged arteries of the heart and there has also been a correlation between gum disease and cancer. I have begun to question the effect that these blood thinning supplements have on bleeding gums, especially since 80% of the population has some form of gum disease.

I personally take supplements because I believe our foods have been depleted of important nutrients due to the poor soil quality. I work inside and don’t enjoy the sun and nature which also provide resources for our nutritional needs. But what is the proper supplement dosage and combination outside of the whole food? Should we be taking them long term? When we juice or take a pill, we may be bypassing critical processes necessary that balance and work synergistically together. I am not an expert, but I do have questions and hope to see research in this area of nutrition.

Excess oxalates are deposited in the teeth, bones, marrow, thyroid, and breast tissues, to name a few, and can interrupt proper cell functioning.

meet the musical director angela steIner

When the curtain rises on opening night, November 18, for Asolo Rep’s new season, the wildly popular Crazy for You directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, is sure to wow its audience. Angela Steiner will take on the music direction, and when you are music directing Gershwin tunes, as she will tell you, “It’s an honor.”

Steiner is elated to return to Asolo Rep where past credits include music direction for Cabaret and Sweeney Todd .

In her own words, “For every show I music direct, I make sure I know the material inside and out. Crazy For You is certainly no exception. This score is a privilege to work on. Gershwin melodies are iconic. They paved the way for Americana in modern musical theater. His musical genius combined singable melodic lines with complex jazz chord structures and classical themes. This combination popularized what might be esoteric musical ideas. He was a pop star of his time. His songs are timeless and have impacted the musical world, from symphony orchestras performing ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ to Willie Nelson singing ‘Blue Skies.’”

Angela Steiner is a music director, pianist, voice coach, copyist, orchestrator, and arranger based in Denver, CO. She has played for and conducted at theater companies all over the United States.

She has music directed/conducted for The Old Globe, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Little Theater of the Rockies, University of Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids, and numerous other theaters. Some of her favorite shows to work on include Cabaret, Rattlesnake Kate, The Who’s Tommy, Sweeney Todd, Indecent, and Rock of Ages

Besides being a musical theater music director, Angela has also continually music directed, lead choirs and played organ for different churches. She was on staff for many years with the musical theater department at the University of Northern Colorado where she taught multiple classes as well as voice and piano and music directed all the theatrical productions.

Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in piano from Wichita State University and a masters in collaborative piano from the University of Northern Colorado.

Learn more at angelasteiner.com

meet the artist

michael murphy

Michael Murphy, a Sarasota native, leads a dual life that seamlessly blends his professional role as Technical Director at the Sarasota Opera House with his artistic pursuits in digital art and interactive installations. His journey into the world of art and technology was influenced by his experiences as a drummer and his travels with various bands.

By day, Murphy brings his technical expertise to the Sarasota Opera House, managing the technical aspects of live performances. His career in production and technology provided the groundwork for his exploration into the realm of digital art.

However, it was during his time touring with bands that Murphy stumbled upon his artistic niche. Immersed in the live music scene, he began experimenting with light, visual effects and projections to enhance the concert experience, bridging his love for music with an emerging interest in digital art.

As the resident projection artist at Sarasota’s monthly ArtLab events, Murphy’s creative talents have found a platform. His real-time digital projections have become an integral part of these gatherings, illustrating the transformative potential of technology within the art world. His work will utilize inputs ranging from proximal information and motion tracking to live audio and live video to manipulate the imagery or structure. Murphy will frequently collaborate with other non-digital artists to help them showcase their work to a massive and interactive canvas. Murphy seeks to find truth in the process while remaining present, genuine, and humble. Several events in October will showcase some of Murphy’s work, providing an opportunity to witness this fusion of technical expertise, artistic vision, interactive elements and most importantly, play.

To view more of his work, visit his instagram, @bichaelburphy.

Upcoming October Events:

• October 11th at ArtLab 7pm-10pm (second Wednesday of the month) at Art Ovation Hotel (1255 N Palm Ave)

• October 28th at Art Ovation Hotel (1255 N Palm Ave)

• October 28th at Sage’s Haunted Mansion Party (1216 1st Street)

“Radiant Disco Ball.”

Photo by Trey Jones.

“Blooming Glop” Manipulated Video Loop

UNIVERSITY PARK University Park

Country Club

Scenic beauty, serenity, privacy, and a premier location sets University Park apart from other communities. Minutes from downtown, 32 idyllic neighborhoods on 1,200 acres are filled with tranquil ponds, soaring moss-covered oaks and lush tropical landscapes. Enjoy contemporary cuisine in The Park Grille & Café, a coastal modern venue with expansive lake views.

Experience the University Park Country Club lifestyle and live, dine, play! Annual Memberships available. For more information, Ann Backus, Membership Director, 941.355.3888, x234, abackus@universitypark-fl.com.

Championship 27 Hole Golf Course | 11 Har-Tru Tennis Courts | 4 Pickleball Courts | Fitness Centre | Croquet Court